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

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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 of proxy

• 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

If the act of reading a story is the coming together of reader and writer, the creation of a delicate channel between subjectivities, what happens to that provisional bond when our proxy is knocked off? —Literary Hub, 10 June 2026

Tehran has also used its Houthi proxies in Yemen to threaten a blockade of the Bab al-Mandab Strait if Israel continues to escalate its use of force. —The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 June 2026

In that sense, Paramount-WBD is a proxy fight. —Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 8 June 2026

Israel responded with strikes on targets throughout Iran, while Iran’s proxies in Yemen and Iraq threatened to widen the war. —Sam Metz, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026

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