deputy

noun

dep·​u·​ty ˈde-pyə-tē How to pronounce deputy (audio)
plural deputies
often attributive
Synonyms of deputynext
1
a
: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act
b
: a second in command or assistant who usually takes charge when his or her superior is absent
2
: a member of the lower house of some legislative assemblies

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of deputy in a Sentence

the club president sent a deputy to the conference to vote on our behalf a deputy supervisor to help out with routine tasks
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Also in the power hallway is Beau Harrison, deputy chief of staff for operations. — Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025 During that period, his brother was hired into what appears to have been his first federal job—deputy director of the Office of Secretarial Boards and Councils at the Department of Energy. — David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025 Matangi complied and started walking down Carpinteria Road, where he was spotted by a San Benito County Sheriff’s deputy. — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025 Expand All Valerie Smith-Ragland was devastated after Granville County sheriff’s deputies shot and killed her son. — Ames Alexander, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deputy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French deputé, past participle of deputer

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of deputy was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

deputy
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Cite this Entry

“Deputy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deputy. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

deputy

noun
dep·​u·​ty ˈdep-yət-ē How to pronounce deputy (audio)
plural deputies
1
: a person appointed to act for or in place of another
2
: an assistant who usually takes charge when his or her superior is absent
deputy adjective

Legal Definition

deputy

noun
dep·​u·​ty ˈde-pyə-tē How to pronounce deputy (audio)
plural deputies
1
: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act
2
: a second in command or assistant who usually takes charge when his or her superior is absent
specifically : deputy sheriff
Etymology

Middle French deputé person appointed to exercise authority, from past participle of deputer to appoint, depute

More from Merriam-Webster on deputy

Nglish: Translation of deputy for Spanish Speakers

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