deploy

verb

de·​ploy di-ˈplȯi How to pronounce deploy (audio)
deployed; deploying; deploys

transitive verb

1
a
: to extend (a military unit) especially in width
b
: to place in battle formation or appropriate positions
deploying troops to the region
2
: to spread out, utilize, or arrange for a deliberate purpose
deploy a sales force
deploy a parachute

intransitive verb

: to move, spread out, or function while being deployed
the troops deployed along the front
the parachute failed to deploy
deployable adjective

Examples of deploy in a Sentence

The troops were deployed for battle. They plan to deploy more American soldiers over the next six months. Two scientists were deployed to study the problem. Both campaigns are deploying volunteers to the cities to encourage people to vote. Equipment and supplies have been deployed across the country. He deploys several arguments to prove his point. Wait several seconds before deploying the parachute. The boat's sails were not fully deployed. The parachute failed to deploy properly.
Recent Examples on the Web Yet the piano possesses its own occult powers, and both transcribers cannily deploy its resources. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024 Beijing has also been deploying them in territorial disputes with Japan and the Philippines. Amy Chang Chien, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024 President Biden deployed the U.S. Navy to the Red Sea after Houthi rebels, who seized control of Yemen's capital Sanaa in 2014, began attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with Hamas. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2024 After days of talks and waiting, an elite unit deployed a knock-out gas to incapacitate the entire theatre. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024 Throughout the conflict, the U.S. has repeatedly deployed top-ranking envoys to Israel in order to persuade Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his hardline government to take measures to protect civilians in Gaza. Shannon K. Crawford, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2024 In the meantime, the district will deploy internal teams to start gathering information. Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024 To counter that bump, Democrats are deploying a two-pronged approach that’s already visible in Biden’s campaign. David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024 Achieving our climate goals requires ambitious government policy to ensure clean industrial technologies are deployed on factory floors, reward innovative manufacturing, and build domestic markets for clean industrial products. Jeffrey Rissman, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deploy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French déployer "to unfurl, spread out, display, arrange for a purpose," going back to Old French despleier, desploier "to unfurl, set out to view" — more at display entry 1

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of deploy was in 1616

Dictionary Entries Near deploy

Cite this Entry

“Deploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deploy. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

deploy

verb
de·​ploy di-ˈplȯi How to pronounce deploy (audio)
: to move, spread out, or place in position for some purpose
troops deployed for battle
deploy police to prevent a riot
deployment noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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