verb
Uncommon
deploy
dih-PLOY
Deploy (verb) means to move troops or equipment into position for military action. Example: “The army deployed additional troops along the border.”
verb
1
To move troops or equipment into position for military action.
"The army deployed additional troops along the border."
"Peacekeeping forces were deployed to the region within days."
"Commanders decided to deploy a small unit to guard the bridge."
2
To put a plan, resource, or piece of software into effective use.
"The company deployed a new customer service strategy this quarter."
"The team deployed the update to all users overnight."
"The hospital deployed extra staff to the emergency ward during the busy winter period."
How to use deploy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo move something into position and ready for use, whether troops, resources, or software.
Common pairings
deploy troops
deploy resources
deploy an update
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Word forms
- Plural
- deploys
- Third person singular
- deploys
- Past tense
- deployed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The army _____ additional troops along the border.
Etymology
From French déployer ("to unroll, unfold"), from Old French desploiier, ultimately related to Latin displicare ("to unfold, scatter") — a doublet of "display."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for deploy
See all rhymes for deploy →Frequently asked questions
What does “deploy” mean?
The word “deploy” means to move troops or equipment into position for military action. In plain terms, to move something into position and ready for use, whether troops, resources, or software.
How do you pronounce “deploy”?
“Deploy” is pronounced dih-PLOY (/dɪˈplɔɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “deploy” in a sentence?
Here is “deploy” used in a sentence: “The army deployed additional troops along the border.”
What part of speech is “deploy”?
“Deploy” is a verb.
Where does the word “deploy” come from?
The word “deploy” comes from Latin. From French déployer ("to unroll, unfold"), from Old French desploiier, ultimately related to Latin displicare ("to unfold, scatter") — a doublet of "display.".
Is “deploy” a common word?
“Deploy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “deploy” have?
“Deploy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move troops or equipment into position for military action.
What is the difference between deploy and install in software?
To deploy software means to put it into effective, active use, often across servers or environments, while to install typically refers to the narrower step of setting up a program on a single device. Deployment can include installation as one part of a larger release process.
How is deploy used in a military context versus a technology context?
In a military context, to deploy means to move troops or equipment into position for action. In technology, to deploy means to put a piece of software or a plan into effective, working use, such as deploying an app update to users.
Is deploy used only for software, or also for resources and plans?
Deploy is used broadly for putting any plan, resource, or piece of software into effective use, not just software, though it has become especially common in technology and business contexts.
