deploy

play

verb de·ploy \ di-ˈplȯi \

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

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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

Italy has taken a number of steps to discourage the migration, including deploying naval ships to help Libyan officials intercept migrant boats off the coast.

— kevin sieff, Washington Post, "Europe is trying to cut the flow of migrants from Africa. It won’t be easy.," 31 Aug. 2017
The mission was expanded after a 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah so that peacekeepers could deploy along the Lebanon-Israel border, to help Lebanese troops extend their authority into their country’s south for the first time in decades.

— jennifer peltz, The Seattle Times, "UN extends Lebanon peacekeeping; US, Israel prompt changes," 30 Aug. 2017
If deployed, Donahue said his team likely would assist in evacuation efforts, helping patients in nursing homes and hospitals relocate to other facilities.

— javonte anderson, Post-Tribune, "NWI emergency responders ready to help Harvey victims," 29 Aug. 2017
The refusal to disclose the scale of new deployments compounds an existing lack of transparency about the number of troops deployed to combat zones.

— conor friedersdorf, The Atlantic, "Trump Won't Tell Americans How Many Troops He Is Risking," 29 Aug. 2017
Its the first widely deployed Gigabit internet speeds in Miami Beach and surrounding communities, the company said.

— nancy dahlberg, miamiherald, "Wave of super-fast Internet service spreads in Miami Beach, Miami area," 29 Aug. 2017
Many deaths have been averted by moving shipping lanes away from key habitats and deploying systems that warn ships when the slow-moving animals are nearby.

— erik stokstad, Science | AAAS, "Endangered right whales are dying in record numbers off Canada, raising alarm," 24 Aug. 2017
A Kingfisher boat was deployed by the Coast Guard Sector Mobile with coast guard investigators who boarded the boat near Peridido Pass, Alabama to investigate the incident.

— prescotte stokes iii, AL.com, "2 people stabbed on fishing boat, 1 listed in critical condition," 21 Aug. 2017
In addition, a state helicopter will be deployed to monitor key interchanges and highways.

— sheldon s. shafer, The Courier-Journal, "Solar Eclipse 2017: Traffic delays expected on I-65, other major Kentucky highways," 15 Aug. 2017

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

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First Known Use: 1616

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DEPLOY Defined for English Language Learners

deploy

play

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)