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

• 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

In practice, that meant the staff stopped meeting with senior Salvadoran officials and had to get approval from Manes and her top deputies to engage with others, according to former senior embassy officials. —T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025

During the attack, Yates repeatedly pressed the cell’s emergency call button and begged deputies over the intercom to intervene. —Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025

Then, one of the Cochise County Sheriff’s deputies spots a suspect’s gray sedan parked outside a nearby ATM. —Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025

The roommate told Robinson’s friends and landlord that Robinson had died of pneumonia in late January 2022, deputies said. —Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 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