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
Synonyms
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
In reality, since 2000 the canal has been operated by the Panama Canal Authority, whose administrator, deputy administrator and 11-member board are selected by Panama’s government but operate independently.
—
Patrick Oppmann, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
He was appointed by Mr. Trump as deputy administrator last week, and took on the title acting administrator Thursday morning, hours after an American Airlines jet with 64 people on board and an Army helicopter carrying three collided.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2025
Rocheleau had been serving as the FAA’s deputy administrator since Jan. 21.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2025
Before his time in Michigan, La Margo spent several years working in Illinois, including as chief deputy director of accounting revenue for the Secretary of State.
—Alan Kozeluh, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for deputy 
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Patrick Oppmann, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025
He was appointed by Mr. Trump as deputy administrator last week, and took on the title acting administrator Thursday morning, hours after an American Airlines jet with 64 people on board and an Army helicopter carrying three collided.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2025
Rocheleau had been serving as the FAA’s deputy administrator since Jan. 21.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2025
Before his time in Michigan, La Margo spent several years working in Illinois, including as chief deputy director of accounting revenue for the Secretary of State.
—Alan Kozeluh, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for deputy
Dictionary Entries Near deputy
Cite this Entry
“Deputy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deputy. Accessed 4 Feb. 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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