deputy

American  

[dep-yuh-tee] / ˈdɛp yə ti /

noun

plural

deputies

1. a person appointed or authorized to act as a substitute for another or others.

   Synonyms:

   proxy, emissary, envoy, surrogate, representative, agent

2. deputy sheriff.

3. a person appointed or elected as assistant to a public official, serving as successor in the event of a vacancy.

4. a person representing a constituency in certain legislative bodies.

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adjective

1. appointed, elected, or serving as an assistant or second-in-command.

deputy British  

/ ˈdɛpjʊtɪ /

noun

1. 1. a person appointed to act on behalf of or represent another

   2. ( as modifier )

      the deputy chairman

2. a member of the legislative assembly or of the lower chamber of the legislature in various countries, such as France

3. mining another word for fireman

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Other Word Forms

• deputyship noun
• subdeputy noun

Etymology

Origin of deputy

1375–1425; late Middle English depute < Old French, noun use of past participle of deputer to depute

Example Sentences

Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell made a dash for it immediately after the declaration; reporters, me included, chasing after her shouting questions.

From BBC

Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell, who voted for Burnham to be allowed to stand at the time, was asked whether Labour would have won with him as the candidate.

From BBC

On Tuesday, deputies responded to the Cedar Ridge Court residence after learning Bradbury was at the property.

From Los Angeles Times

Cuba's deputy foreign minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío said the US had shown a "willingness" to cooperate on "clarifying these regrettable events".

From BBC

He worked his way up through the ranks in the White House Counsel's Office and then into the Oval Office, where he became deputy assistant to the president.

From BBC

Related Words

• aide
• appointee
• commissioner
• delegate
• minister
• representative