deputy

noun

dep·​u·​ty ˈde-pyə-tē How to pronounce deputy (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hager finished his 35-year military career as deputy commanding general for operations, Cyber National Mission Force and mobilization assistant to the commander for USCYBERCOM. Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024 Firefighters and sheriff's deputies push a vintage car away from a burning home in Camarillo, Calif., on Wednesday. Phil Helsel, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024 By early August, Kim Jong-sik, deputy director of North Korea's munitions department had visited a KN-23 missile launch site near the Russia-Ukraine front with North Korean military officers, the NIS added, according to a translation. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is one of the largest sheriff's offices in the nation, with upward of 3,000 employees, including deputies, jail guards and civilians. Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deputy 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of deputy was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near deputy

Cite this Entry

“Deputy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deputy. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

deputy

noun
dep·​u·​ty ˈdep-yət-ē How to pronounce deputy (audio)
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 How to pronounce deputy (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on deputy

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