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Proxies and Proxy Servers
Proxy comes from a contracted form of the Middle English word procuracie (meaning “procuration”). A proxy may refer to a person who is authorized to act for another or it may designate the function or authority of serving in another’s stead. In the latter sense, it generally is preceded by the word by (“vote by proxy”).
Proxy has recently taken on meanings in computing, where it is found in such phrases as proxy server, a computer system that facilitates the exchange of data between users on a network.
Synonyms
Examples of proxy in a Sentence
Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024
For the first time since the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the Ayatollah regime violated Israeli sovereignty directly without using any of its proxies, such as Hezbollah or Hamas.
—Gadi Ezra, TIME, 15 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for proxy 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proxy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Middle English proxi, procucie, contraction of procuracie, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin procuratia, alteration of Latin procuratio procuration
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing proxy
Dictionary Entries Near proxy
Cite this Entry
“Proxy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proxy. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
proxy
noun
Legal Definition
proxy
nounMiddle English procucie, contraction of procuracie, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin procuratia, alteration of Latin procuratio appointment of another as one's agent
More from Merriam-Webster on proxy
Nglish: Translation of proxy for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of proxy for Arabic Speakers
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