deploy

verb

de·​ploy di-ˈplȯi 

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

di-ˈplȯi-ə-bəl 

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

Mattingly deployed Derek Hill and Bryan De La Cruz in the seventh inning when Atlanta summoned a lefty reliever. — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Researchers will deploy ground sensors and airborne microphones to measure the aircraft’s shockwaves. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026

Thorny ethical issues also abound, including who gets to choose when and how solar geoengineering is deployed, who pays for it and what happens if some countries benefit while others are harmed. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

Speed brakes are active flaps commonly deployed to help a plane slow down. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for deploy

• ahoy
• alloy
• annoy
• carboy
• convoy
• cowboy
• decoy
• destroy
• employ
• employe
• enjoy
• kilroy

Kids Definition

deploy

verb

de·​ploy di-ˈplȯi 

: to move, spread out, or place in position for some purpose

troops deployed for battle

deploy police to prevent a riot

deployment

-mənt 

noun