deputy

noun

dep·​u·​ty ˈde-pyə-tē 

plural deputies

often attributive

1

a

: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act

b

: a second in command or assistant who usually takes charge when his or her superior is absent

2

: a member of the lower house of some legislative assemblies

Synonyms

• agent
• assignee
• attorney
• commissary
• delegate
• envoy
• factor
• minister
• procurator
• proxy
• rep
• representative

Examples of deputy in a Sentence

the club president sent a deputy to the conference to vote on our behalf

a deputy supervisor to help out with routine tasks

Recent Examples on the Web

In a related blog post, Microsoft CVP David Weston acknowledges risks of attacks from a confused deputy exposing sensitive functionality, prompt injection, tool poisoning, unwanted remote access, and others. —Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 19 May 2025

The 16-year-old driver was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, deputies said. —Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025

Kidman’s words resonated in a room that included Jeremy Strong, Julianne Moore, Kering deputy CEO Francesca Bellettini and Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello in the audience. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 19 May 2025

Jennifer Valencia then told deputies that her husband returned home around 1 p.m. that day before leaving in their black 2006 Honda Accord. —Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 17 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French deputé, past participle of deputer

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

deputy

noun

dep·​u·​ty ˈdep-yət-ē 

plural deputies

1

: a person appointed to act for or in place of another

2

: an assistant who usually takes charge when his or her superior is absent

deputy adjective

Legal Definition

deputy

noun

dep·​u·​ty ˈde-pyə-tē 

plural deputies

1

: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act

2

: a second in command or assistant who usually takes charge when his or her superior is absent

specifically : deputy sheriff

Etymology

Middle French deputé person appointed to exercise authority, from past participle of deputer to appoint, depute