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

• agent
• assignee
• attorney
• commissary
• delegate
• envoy
• factor
• minister
• procurator
• proxy
• rep
• representative

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

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said on May 26, 2024 deputies responded to the business on the 7100 block of Rancho Mission Drive in the city's suburb of Bellaire, where a couple was staying with their 4-month-old child Brooklyn Fancher. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 25 June 2025

The Orlando Sentinel revealed Osceola County deputies responded dozens of times to The Eclipse since 2022, suggesting the business’ existence was known long before it was raided by authorities on Aug. 27 of last year. —Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025

Sherman became a technical reserve officer for the LAPD and a reserve deputy sheriff for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. —Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025

He was stopped and arrested on an interstate in Escambia County, deputies said. —Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 24 June 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