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
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
Shelley Webb is a supervising deputy in the criminal division of the City Attorney’s Office.
—
Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Two men were killed in a shooting near West Palm Beach on Saturday afternoon, deputies said.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2025
Hochman assigned three deputies to review the transcripts of both Menendez trials, and announced his decision to withdraw the petition at a lengthy press conference.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
She was headed to Iowa, deputies said, but her vehicle was discovered abandoned April 6 in a remote part of Harney County in Oregon, deputies said.
—Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deputy
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Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Two men were killed in a shooting near West Palm Beach on Saturday afternoon, deputies said.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2025
Hochman assigned three deputies to review the transcripts of both Menendez trials, and announced his decision to withdraw the petition at a lengthy press conference.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
She was headed to Iowa, deputies said, but her vehicle was discovered abandoned April 6 in a remote part of Harney County in Oregon, deputies said.
—Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 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 19 Apr. 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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