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
Officers say that the deputy attempted to perform a traffic stop on a motorcyclist for an undisclosed vehicle code violation, but when the suspect failed to yield, a pursuit began.
—
Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
My administration will establish clear policy that bans deputy gangs and gang-like behavior, protect whistleblowers, and create safe, independent channels to report misconduct.
—Opinion Staff, Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
The top deputy in his office joined a state task force that helped craft legislation banning officers from arresting someone based solely on results from those presumptive field tests.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
One deputy from the El Paso Sheriff’s Office was present for the shooting but didn’t fire their weapon.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deputy
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Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
My administration will establish clear policy that bans deputy gangs and gang-like behavior, protect whistleblowers, and create safe, independent channels to report misconduct.
—Opinion Staff, Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
The top deputy in his office joined a state task force that helped craft legislation banning officers from arresting someone based solely on results from those presumptive field tests.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
One deputy from the El Paso Sheriff’s Office was present for the shooting but didn’t fire their weapon.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 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 8 Apr. 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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