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

• 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

Eric Toms, supervisory deputy U.S. Marshal with the District of Boise, said the agency was receiving more tips from the public following the statement the task force released Sunday. —CBS News, 7 July 2025

Decker had searched online for information about moving to Canada days before his children were killed, a deputy US Marshal said in a court affidavit. —Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 7 July 2025

Smirnov and his first deputy, Alexei Dedov, were arrested in April 2025 by the Russian Interior Ministry on allegations of embezzlement of public money over contracts for the construction of fortifications in Kursk. —Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025

Whiting had been locked out of the County Attorney's Office since June after his chief deputy and three other top employees obtained restraining orders against him. —Robert Anglen, AZCentral.com, 7 July 2025

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