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

Among those evacuated were Stephen and Katie, during which the deputy chief of staff was pictured gripping his wife — who was eight months pregnant at the time — in front of him. —Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026

The agency has no director, principal deputy director, chief of staff or chief medical officer to lead employees through a complicated emergency response. —Candice Johnson, The Conversation, 10 June 2026

Pay for deputy chiefs in the department range from $198,000 to $210,000 annually, according to data from the records request. —Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026

According to deputies, a 14-year-old victim was contacted by Cisneros in May 2025 through a social media platform. —Julie Sharp, CBS News, 10 June 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