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

The deputy was seen on video struggling through makeshift barricades of mattresses and furniture before confronting Camacho, who was holding the boy in a chokehold with one hand while brandishing a knife in the other. —Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Dramatic body cam video shows a terrified boy was being held by the throat when his knife-wielding captor was killed by a deputy, the Florida investigators say. —Mark Price, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025

The Sheriff's Office report request came after another amendment to create 20 more deputy and correctional officer positions narrowly failed in a 3-4 vote on Oct 24. —Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Rescuers hiked out with the man, and a deputy drove him to his vehicle parked at the trailhead, officials said. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 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