deputy
noun
dep·u·ty
ˈde-pyə-tē 
plural deputies
1
a
: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act
b
: a second in command or assistant who usually takes charge in the absence of a superior
—often used before another noun
the deputy director
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
Like Cincinnati police, Schuler said sheriff's office supervisors usually take on complaints regarding less severe policy violations, such as a deputy speeding on a highway or answering the phone rudely.
—
Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2026
City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto is facing three challengers — deputy attorney general Marissa Roy, human rights attorney Aida Ashouri and Deputy Dist.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Jackson previously served as deputy area counsel for the IRS Office of Chief Counsel.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating after a deputy fatally shot a woman in northwest Miami‑Dade on Saturday afternoon, authorities said.
—Bri Buckley, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
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.
Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2026
City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto is facing three challengers — deputy attorney general Marissa Roy, human rights attorney Aida Ashouri and Deputy Dist.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Jackson previously served as deputy area counsel for the IRS Office of Chief Counsel.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating after a deputy fatally shot a woman in northwest Miami‑Dade on Saturday afternoon, authorities said.
—Bri Buckley, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deputy
Cite this Entry
“Deputy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deputy. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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
