deputy

noun

dep·​u·​ty ˈde-pyə-tē 

plural deputies

1

a

: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act

b

: a second in command or assistant who usually takes charge in the absence of a superior

—often used before another noun

the deputy director

2

: a member of the lower house of some legislative assemblies

Synonyms of deputy

• delegate
• representative
• agent
• attorney
• minister
• manager
• ambassador

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

The department’s deputy superintendent of operations, Abel Guillén, sent an email to staff last Friday that one live bedbug and five dead ones were found in room 3506. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026

There's concern the waves could worsen challenges along the Southern California coast, said Alyssa Napuri, deputy chief of staff for Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Strada took over the Department of Correction in January 2023 after serving as deputy director of the Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation & Reentry. — Ed White, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and Pompano Beach Fire Rescue arrived to find two men with gunshot wounds. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026

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