What does it mean to deputize someone?

To deputize means to appoint or authorize someone to act on behalf of another person, typically in a position of authority or responsibility. The term is often used to describe the act of assigning tasks or responsibilities to someone who is not the primary holder of that role or position.

For example, if a manager is unable to attend a meeting, they might deputize one of their team members to represent them and make decisions on their behalf. In this case, the team member has been appointed to act as a proxy for the absent manager.

The word "deputize" can also be used more broadly to describe any situation where someone is given authority or responsibility to act on behalf of another person or organization. For example, a company might deputize a representative to speak on their behalf at an industry conference.