deputy

noun

dep·​u·​ty ˈde-pyə-tē 

plural deputies

1

a

: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act

b

: a second in command or assistant who usually takes charge in the absence of a superior

—often used before another noun

the deputy director

2

: a member of the lower house of some legislative assemblies

Synonyms of deputy

• delegate
• representative
• agent
• attorney
• minister
• manager
• ambassador

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

During a meeting of the housing authority's board of commissioners on Friday, Dexter Brady, the housing authority's deputy director, said that a meeting with the prospective lenders took place earlier in the week. —Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 10 Nov. 2025

Beatrice has been named as deputy patron of The Outward Bound Trust, which her father had supported for decades before his resignation as patron in 2019. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 10 Nov. 2025

In August, Nathan Calvin opened his door to a sheriff’s deputy, who had come to serve a subpoena from OpenAI. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025

Delhi police are investigating the case under various sections of India’s anti-terror law, North Delhi deputy commissioner of police, Raja Banthia, told CNN. —Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025

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

Kids Definition

deputy

noun

dep·​u·​ty ˈdep-yət-ē 

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 

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