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

Synonyms of deputy

• delegate
• representative
• agent
• attorney
• minister
• manager
• ambassador

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

According to Euro News, 125 deputies backed the government proposal, 61 voted against it and 13 abstained. —Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026

Ramon Padilla is the deputy graphics editor for USA TODAY. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 18 June 2026

The driver then ran north through yards in a nearby neighborhood and was not found after troopers and deputies searched the area with K-9 units and drones, the agency said. —Miami Herald, 17 June 2026

The deals cover about 5,400 white-collar workers, roughly 1,900 blue-collar workers and about 180 deputy city attorneys. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French deputé, past participle of deputer

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids 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