relegation
Americannoun
-
assignment or banishment to an inferior position, place, rank, or condition.
Many factors are responsible for the relegation of disabled people to the margins of society.
The pending legislation shows the relegation of environmental concerns toward the bottom of the priority list in energy politics.
-
Soccer. demotion to a lower playing league or division based on a team’s record.
The European leagues are a meritocratic hierarchy connected by promotion and relegation.
Etymology
Origin of relegation
First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin relēgātiōn-, stem of relēgātiō “a sending away, banishment”; see relegate ( def. ), -ion ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His old side, despite snatching a draw at Manchester United a few hours after Lankshear's latest winner, remain in the Premier League relegation zone while Boro sit in the Championship's automatic promotion places.
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026
Jack Rudoni's penalty, Sidiki Cherif's first Sky Blues goal and late strikes from Ellis Simms and Stephen Mfuni lifted them out of the relegation zone in style.
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026
In points terms they are closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League spots.
From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026
Despite the late elation sparked by Solanke's 92nd-minute equaliser, Tottenham remain in the relegation zone with just three points from their opening six matches.
From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026
Wider geographical knowledge made it difficult to assign the ghosts a mundane home, and led to their relegation to the sub-mundane region.
From Introduction to the History of Religions Handbooks on the History of Religions, Volume IV by Morris Jastrow
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
