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
After his injuries are treated, deputies intend to book the man in jail on suspicion of homicide, the agency said.
—
Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
However, the deputies were notified of a carjacking near the location of the stabbing.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026
The vehicle failed to stop and sheriff’s deputies gave chase through the unincorporated area of Butte County.
—The Sacramento Bee, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Stephen Brown, chief deputy North America economist at Capital Economics, said in a note earlier this month that ICT output during the third quarter rose despite a drop in employment.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deputy
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Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2026
However, the deputies were notified of a carjacking near the location of the stabbing.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026
The vehicle failed to stop and sheriff’s deputies gave chase through the unincorporated area of Butte County.
—The Sacramento Bee, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Stephen Brown, chief deputy North America economist at Capital Economics, said in a note earlier this month that ICT output during the third quarter rose despite a drop in employment.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 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 16 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
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