What does "deputy" mean?

1. (second-in-command) a person who is next in rank to a leader and can take their place if needed. 2. (law enforcement officer) a police officer who works for a sheriff, especially in the United States. 3. (a politician) a member of the parliament or government in some countries. 4. (to act as a substitute) to do the work of a leader or superior for a short time.

How do you use "deputy"?

This verb form is much less common than the noun; 'deputise' is the standard verb in most contexts.

deputy

n. · v.

US //ˈdɛpjəti// UK //dˈɛpjuːti// deputy

1 second-in-command (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a person who is next in rank to a leader and can take their place if needed.

an official who acts as a substitute or assistant to a superior, empowered to perform their duties in their absence.

Example

The deputy manager ran the office while the director was on holiday.

Example

In the absence of the chairperson, the deputy is authorised to sign all legal documents and preside over the board meeting.
2 law enforcement officer (n.)
B1 Intermediate American English

a police officer who works for a sheriff, especially in the United States.

a law enforcement officer serving as an assistant to a county sheriff; often the entry-level rank in such agencies.

Example

The sheriff sent a deputy to investigate the car accident on the highway.

Example

The deputy patrolled the rural county roads, maintaining a visible presence in areas far from the central station.
- officer
- deputy sheriff

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3 a politician (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Law

a member of the parliament or government in some countries.

a member of a legislative assembly in certain jurisdictions, such as France or Ireland.

Example

The deputy stood up in parliament to argue against the new tax law.

Example

As a newly elected deputy, she spent her first month in the chamber drafting amendments to the environmental protection bill.
- legislator
- representative
4 to act as a substitute (v.)
C2 Proficiency Informal Dialect

to do the work of a leader or superior for a short time.

to perform the duties of a deputy or to act as a proxy for another person.

Example

He had to deputy for the captain after the injury occurred.

Example

The junior partner was asked to deputy for the lead counsel during the preliminary hearing.

Usage

This verb form is much less common than the noun; 'deputise' is the standard verb in most contexts.
- deputise
- substitute

Origin

From French député, from Late Latin deputatus (“appointed”).