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 girl’s mom got into a kayak, paddled out to the sinking canoe and rescued her daughter, but her boyfriend went underwater, deputies said. —Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025

Andrey Lugovoi, deputy chairman of the State Duma's security committee, said Moscow's withdrawal from the convention would be a formality, as Russia had already withdrawn from the Council of Europe. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

That was one of my priorities as deputy mayor responsible for social services and healthcare. —Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Local sheriff's deputies arrested Routh shortly thereafter. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 8 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