To deputize someone means to give them temporary authority to act in your place or to help you with your responsibilities. The word comes from “deputy,” which is a person who acts as a substitute or assistant for someone in a position of authority.

Sheriffs traditionally deputize citizens in emergencies, giving them legal power to help maintain order or catch criminals. You might have seen this in old Western movies where a sheriff pins a badge on a townsperson and says, “You're deputized!” Suddenly that regular person has official authority to help enforce the law.

The concept works in everyday situations too. A teacher might deputize a responsible student to take attendance while she steps out of the classroom. A parent might deputize an older sibling to watch younger children for an hour. When you're deputized, you're given real authority and responsibility that normally belongs to someone else, making it different from simply helping out as a favor.

Being deputized carries weight. People deputized to do something are expected to take their temporary role seriously and make good decisions, because they're representing the person who gave them that authority.