plural proxies
1
: the agency, function, or office of a deputy who acts as a substitute for another
2
a
: authority or power to act for another
b
: a document giving such authority
specifically : a power of attorney authorizing a specified person to vote corporate stock
3
: a person authorized to act for another : procurator
proxy adjective

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Proxies and Proxy Servers

Proxy comes from a contracted form of the Middle English word procuracie (meaning “procuration”). A proxy may refer to a person who is authorized to act for another or it may designate the function or authority of serving in another’s stead. In the latter sense, it generally is preceded by the word by (“vote by proxy”).

Proxy has recently taken on meanings in computing, where it is found in such phrases as proxy server, a computer system that facilitates the exchange of data between users on a network.

Examples of proxy in a Sentence

Since I wouldn't be available to vote, I nominated him to act as my proxy. sent a proxy to the meeting to cast his vote for him
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.
Iran Remains a Spoiler For decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has sought to use Palestinian proxies as a tool to disrupt and destabilize Israel. Ilan Berman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 Many of these landslides are caused by earthquakes, making turbidite layers a useful proxy for pinpointing past seismic events. Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 2025 And while the powerful Gulf monarchy has watched its main rival Iran and its proxies weakened during the past two year, the threat from Yemen's Houthis has been deeply destabilizing. Nbc News, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025 In essence, Luka has been an emotional proxy for Mario. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proxy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English proxi, procucie, contraction of procuracie, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin procuratia, alteration of Latin procuratio procuration

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Proxy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proxy. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

proxy

noun
plural proxies
1
: authority held by one person to act for another (as in voting)
2
a
: a person holding authority to act for another
b
: a written paper giving a person such authority
proxy adjective

Legal Definition

proxy

noun
plural proxies
1
: the act or practice of a person serving as an authorized agent or substitute for another
used especially in the phrase by proxy
2
a
: authority or power to act for another
b
: a statement or document giving such authorization
specifically : an oral consent or written document (as a power of attorney) given by a stockholder to a specified person or persons to vote corporate stock
3
a
: a person authorized to act or make decisions for another
appointed a health-care proxy
b
: something serving to replace or substitute for another thing
Etymology

Middle English procucie, contraction of procuracie, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin procuratia, alteration of Latin procuratio appointment of another as one's agent

More from Merriam-Webster on proxy

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