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
Leonard allegedly called the Bates County Sheriff’s Office, telling them the boy is dead and led deputies to his body, according to court records.
—
Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 30 Dec. 2025
The bill is named after Savanna Puckett, a 22-year-old sheriff’s deputy from Robertson County who was murdered by an estranged boyfriend in January 2022.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 29 Dec. 2025
Browne did not identify the deputy or the driver.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 29 Dec. 2025
One man was pronounced dead and the other three victims were taken to or self-transported to the hospital, deputies said.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deputy
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Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 30 Dec. 2025
The bill is named after Savanna Puckett, a 22-year-old sheriff’s deputy from Robertson County who was murdered by an estranged boyfriend in January 2022.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 29 Dec. 2025
Browne did not identify the deputy or the driver.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 29 Dec. 2025
One man was pronounced dead and the other three victims were taken to or self-transported to the hospital, deputies said.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 29 Dec. 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 31 Dec. 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
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