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 woman did not know Kreuzer’s whereabouts, but warned deputies that the Rancho Cordova man was armed. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026

Times staff reporter Maddie Lee and deputy sports editor Ed Guzman contributed to this report. — Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

For closures, the district is not just looking at elementary schools with the fewest number of students, said Jim McMullen, deputy superintendent in the district. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

The Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on social media Wednesday that deputies responded to reports of an explosion at the beach. — Sophie Ziedalski, NBC news, 9 July 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