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delegation

delegation

7 4.0
Giving someone the authority to do tasks or make decisions for you
  • noun
  • /ˌdɛlɪˈɡeɪʃən/
translation icon : delegación
  • Many such ventures have, in fact, been undertaken through government-sponsored or endorsed trade delegations.
  • delegation of authority
  • delegation of power
  • full delegation

I think people try to go too quickly to the delegation stage when they're not quite ready.

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Examples

  • On the basis of these objections to Articles 16 and 18, the Saudi delegation refused to ratify the declaration.

    Academic text (2001)
  • "Has your husband or one of the other members of the delegation seen the president?"

    Fiction book (1994)
  • A team was formed and recommendations were made to facilitate delegation, including some rule changes.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Students highlighted the important role of several group skills: communication, delegation, leadership, respect, cooperation.

    Academic text (1996)
  • They can explicitly allow delegation of duties or not allow it.

  • All member clubs send delegations to the monthly competition meetings.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Strengthening MERCOSUR may require the delegation of some national power to supranational institutions.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The manager decided to empower her team by allowing a clear process for delegation of tasks.

  • During the meeting, the CEO emphasized the importance of delegation for efficient team management.

  • The successful delegation of responsibilities helped the project run smoothly and meet its deadlines.

Synonyms

empowerment
vsdelegation
  • Formal
6 4.5

Official permission or legal power to act in a role

focuses on assigning authority to act for someone rather than legal formality
relegation
vsdelegation
3 7.5

Giving tasks and decisions to people below you or moving a team to a lower division

means giving authority to act for someone and not sports demotion
delegating
vsdelegation
1 4.1

Giving tasks or decisions to another person so they do them

refers to the same idea but as a noun rather than the action form
deputation
vsdelegation
  • UK
7.2

Giving someone the power to make decisions for you

gives authority to a subordinate to make decisions or perform tasks for you

How Delegated

abdication
  • Formal
7 8.1
delegation
7 4.0
entrustment
  • Formal
6.4
assignment
650 1.2
retention
23 4.2

Surface Forms

delegation singular
delegations plural

Morphology

delegation = delegate (transparent) = delegate + ation

Formed by the verb 'delegate' + the noun-forming suffix '-ation' to denote the act or process of delegating, which is directly inferable.

Etymology

Delegation comes from the Latin parts de- 'from' and legare 'to send' or 'to entrust'. So, delegating is like 'sending' a task from you to someone else and giving them the power to act for you.