proxy

noun

ˈpräk-sē 

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

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms

• delegate
• representative
• agent
• deputy
• attorney

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

That number excludes exports, imports, and inventory changes and is a good proxy for the overall growth rate of the economy. —Robert Barone, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Third, many computer pricing algorithms look at your location, since location is a good proxy for income. —Jay L. Zagorsky, The Conversation, 31 July 2025

For the experiment, this gene was a proxy for memory. —Claire L. Evans, Quanta Magazine, 30 July 2025

There is no excuse for attacking a Chicago Jew as a proxy for the Israel Defense Forces. —Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2025

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

Phrases Containing proxy

• Munchausen's syndrome by proxy
• Munchausen syndrome by proxy
• proxy marriage

Rhymes for proxy

• boxy
• foxy
• oxy
• alkoxy
• deoxy
• epoxy
• ethoxy
• hydroxy
• methoxy
• peroxy
• phenoxy
• dihydroxy

Kids Definition

proxy

noun

ˈpräk-sē 

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

ˈpräk-sē 

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