deploy

verb de·ploy \ di-ˈplȯi \

Updated on: 23 May 2018

Definition of deploy

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

play \-ə-bəl\ adjective

—

deployment

play \-mənt\ noun

See deploy defined for English-language learners

See deploy defined for kids

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 of deploy from the Web

Flight 861 had 120 people on board on May 14 when oxygen masks deployed and the pilots declared an emergency as the plane approached Dallas Love Field.

— sam wood, Philly.com, "Southwest flight from Las Vegas to PHL diverted after warning," 20 May 2018
Blue Link also provides automatic collision notification and assistance if an accident causes air bags to deploy.

— emma jayne williams, star-telegram, "Hyundai’s 2018 Kona small crossover starts at $19,500, offers all-wheel drive | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 19 May 2018
As the vaccine — provisionally called V920 — is not yet licensed, the government had to agree to deploy it under a compassionate use protocol.

— helen branswell, STAT, "Experimental vaccine to be used against Ebola outbreak in the DRC," 13 May 2018
Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Mohammed has deployed himself more than once to show support for Adnoc’s changes, posting photos of himself and Al Jaber on Twitter and state media.

— Bloomberg.com, "A Mideast Energy Giant Seizes New Energy Future," 10 May 2018
Ken Harbaugh of Avon, a former Navy pilot who ran a nonprofit that deploys military veterans as emergency first responders around the world, defeated Canton's Patrick Pikus to win the Democratic primary.

— robert higgs, cleveland.com, "Mike DeWine leads Mary Taylor by nearly 2-to-1 in statewide absentee votes," 8 May 2018
The app is already used in Tanzania and Ethiopia and PCI plans to deploy it in Niger soon, said Brenda Wandera, the organization's acting representative in Kenya.

— anthony langat, The Christian Science Monitor, "New app helps Kenyan herders cut drought risks," 7 May 2018
Almost a decade later, after the United States had successfully developed the technology and, soon afterward, deployed it in its war against Japan, The Atlantic printed Einstein’s thoughts on how to maintain peace in the young atomic age.

— annika neklason, The Atlantic, "Animating the Atlantic Archives," 2 May 2018
The driver attempted to strike an officer attempting to deploy tire deflation devices along a highway.

— max londberg, kansascity, "Culprits in 3 armed robbery cases in Lee's Summit caught after cop chase, police say | The Kansas City Star," 28 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deploy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of deploy

French déployer, literally, to unfold, from Old French desploier, from des- dis- + ploier, plier to fold — more at ply

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1616

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

DEPLOY Defined for English Language Learners

deploy

verb

Definition of deploy for English Language Learners

: to organize and send out (people or things) to be used for a particular purpose
: to open up and spread out the parts of (something, such as a parachute)