deputy

noun

dep·​u·​ty ˈde-pyə-tē How to pronounce deputy (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for deputy

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of deputy was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deputy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deputy. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

deputy

noun
dep·​u·​ty ˈdep-yət-ē How to pronounce deputy (audio)
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 How to pronounce deputy (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on deputy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!