deploy

verb de·ploy \ di-ˈplȯi \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Examples: deploy in a Sentence

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

Deschamps has tried several tactical options in the buildup to the tournament, including a diamond midfield 4-4-2 system with Olivier Giroud and Mbappe up front, and a 4-3-3 with Mbappe, Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele deployed in attack.

— samuel petrequin, chicagotribune.com, "Star-studded France feeling pressure ahead of debut against Australia," 15 June 2018
Much of that work is thanks to crews from the county’s Department of Public Works, which in the days immediately after the flood deployed 40 workers to Main Street to begin cleanup efforts.

— kate magill, Columbia Flier, "As Ellicott City flood recovery continues, other Howard public works projects stalled," 14 June 2018
Probes deployed by the Apollo astronauts revealed that temperatures on the moon’s surface and subsurface were inexplicably rising.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Astronauts’ Footprints May Have Warmed the Moon," 14 June 2018
In addition to being more explicit, Trump’s demagogic racial appeals are more relentless and inflammatory than those deployed by previous GOP presidents.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Has Not Transformed the Republican Party – Yet," 14 June 2018
Martinelli, a wealthy man who had been living in an $8 million waterfront estate in Coral Gables after leaving Panama, deployed a team of attorneys in an attempt to block his extradition.

— jay weaver, miamiherald, "Ex-Panama president, once living large in Miami, sent home to face corruption charges," 11 June 2018
As the season wore on, Darby returned, and Jalen Mills and Patrick Robinson solidified their roles as the other two corners deployed in most situations, Douglas’s role diminished.

— les bowen, Philly.com, "Eagles' Rasul Douglas feels he has improved, but so has team's cornerback competition," 8 June 2018
Buttigieg, meanwhile, spends a fair bit of energy discussing his experience being deployed to Afghanistan for seven months and speaking candidly about his experience as a gay man now engaged to be married.

— james pindell, BostonGlobe.com, "Could one of these mayors make history and jump from City Hall to the White House?," 8 June 2018
Adele Loar served as a master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force from 1989 to 2010 and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan numerous times.

— lou ponsi, latimes.com, "Wounded vets from the U.S. and U.K. stop in Irvine during cross-country journey," 7 June 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)