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
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
The deputy and his now-widow, Jacqueline Reckling, had four children, including one born after the deputy was killed.
—
Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 31 July 2025
Street deputies will report to Chief of Patrol Jon Hein and prosecutorial strategies will report to the chief of staff for the superintendent, under Snelling’s command.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025
Mike Browne, deputy director of the liberal A Better Wisconsin Together, noted Donovan still doesn't have everything right.
—Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
This led investigators to a potential relative, who provided a DNA sample for testing, deputies said.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deputy
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.
Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 31 July 2025
Street deputies will report to Chief of Patrol Jon Hein and prosecutorial strategies will report to the chief of staff for the superintendent, under Snelling’s command.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025
Mike Browne, deputy director of the liberal A Better Wisconsin Together, noted Donovan still doesn't have everything right.
—Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
This led investigators to a potential relative, who provided a DNA sample for testing, deputies said.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deputy
Cite this Entry
“Deputy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deputy. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share