deploy

verb

de·​ploy di-ˈplȯi How to pronounce deploy (audio)
deployed; deploying; deploys

transitive verb

1
a
: to extend (a military unit) especially in width
b
: to place in battle formation or appropriate positions
deploying troops to the region
2
: to spread out, utilize, or arrange for a deliberate purpose
deploy a sales force
deploy a parachute

intransitive verb

: to move, spread out, or function while being deployed
the troops deployed along the front
the parachute failed to deploy
deployable adjective

Examples of deploy in a Sentence

The troops were deployed for battle. They plan to deploy more American soldiers over the next six months. Two scientists were deployed to study the problem. Both campaigns are deploying volunteers to the cities to encourage people to vote. Equipment and supplies have been deployed across the country. He deploys several arguments to prove his point. Wait several seconds before deploying the parachute. The boat's sails were not fully deployed. The parachute failed to deploy properly.
Recent Examples on the Web But the network was looking for a way to deploy the show well before the labor stoppages became a factor, executives said. Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 SpaceX also intends to use the massive vehicle, which stands nearly 400 feet tall, to deploy the next generation of its Starlink internet satellites. Christian Davenport, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 The Starship’s payload door — a hatch that must open for the spacecraft to deploy satellites into space after reaching orbit — also swung open before resealing in a crucial test of that mechanism. Jackie Wattles, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Gaining fees from advising advertisers on how to deploy marketing spend or placing executives in new roles would add to the revenue that comes in from representing actors, anchors and producers, among others. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024 In 2023, Ukraine gained the upper hand in the drone war by deploying the compact racing drones known as FPVs, for First Person Views, in large quantities. Yurii Shyvala, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Last month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom deployed 120 California Highway Patrol officers to Oakland and the surrounding area to conduct a law enforcement surge operation. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024 The New York National Guard has been deploying UH-72 pilots and support personnel to the southwest border in support of the Border Patrol since 2014. Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024 Walkmen, camcorders, VHS tapes, pixelated videos of Bill Clinton and other signifiers of that period are deployed with the deftness of a cultural insider. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deploy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French déployer "to unfurl, spread out, display, arrange for a purpose," going back to Old French despleier, desploier "to unfurl, set out to view" — more at display entry 1

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of deploy was in 1616

Dictionary Entries Near deploy

Cite this Entry

“Deploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deploy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

deploy

verb
de·​ploy di-ˈplȯi How to pronounce deploy (audio)
: to move, spread out, or place in position for some purpose
troops deployed for battle
deploy police to prevent a riot
deployment noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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