deploy

verb

de·​ploy di-ˈplȯi How to pronounce deploy (audio)
deployed; deploying; deploys
Synonyms of deploy

transitive verb

1
a
: to extend (a military unit) especially in width
b
: to place in battle formation or appropriate positions
deploying troops to the region
2
: to spread out, utilize, or arrange for a deliberate purpose
deploy a sales force
deploy a parachute

intransitive verb

: to move, spread out, or function while being deployed
The troops deployed along the front.
The parachute failed to deploy.
deployable
di-ˈplȯi-ə-bəl How to pronounce deploy (audio)
adjective

Examples of deploy in a Sentence

The troops were deployed for battle. They plan to deploy more American soldiers over the next six months. Two scientists were deployed to study the problem. Both campaigns are deploying volunteers to the cities to encourage people to vote. Equipment and supplies have been deployed across the country. He deploys several arguments to prove his point. Wait several seconds before deploying the parachute. The boat's sails were not fully deployed. The parachute failed to deploy properly.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Reuters reports that more than 9,000 police officers were deployed across Jakarta this week, ahead of events marking Prabowo’s second year in office. — Jay Ganglani, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 Thinking that writing code was the only bottleneck for deploying new software is like the Titanic seeing the tip of the iceberg and assuming there was nothing underneath it. — Brian Jenney, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Oct. 2026 Robots deployed in hazardous environments could help locate hotspots, gather information, or deliver supplies to first responders. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026 More than 1,600 people from the local county were deployed for rescue efforts. — CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deploy

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French déployer "to unfurl, spread out, display, arrange for a purpose," going back to Old French despleier, desploier "to unfurl, set out to view" — more at display entry 1

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of deploy was in 1616

Rhymes for deploy

See All Rhymes for deploy

Browse Nearby Words

deploringly
deploy
deployment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deploy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deploy. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

deploy

verb
de·​ploy di-ˈplȯi How to pronounce deploy (audio)
: to move, spread out, or place in position for some purpose
troops deployed for battle
deploy police to prevent a riot
deployment
-mənt How to pronounce deploy (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on deploy

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