relegate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to send or consign to an inferior position, place, or condition.
He has been relegated to a post at the fringes of the diplomatic service.
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to consign or commit (a matter, task, etc.), as to a person.
He relegates the less pleasant tasks to his assistant.
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to assign or refer (something) to a particular class or kind.
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to send into exile; banish.
verb
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to move to a position of less authority, importance, etc; demote
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(usually passive) to demote (a football team, etc) to a lower division
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to assign or refer (a matter) to another or others, as for action or decision
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(foll by to) to banish or exile
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to assign (something) to a particular group or category
Other Word Forms
- relegable adjective
- relegatable adjective
- relegation noun
- unrelegable adjective
Etymology
Origin of relegate
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English from Latin relēgātus, past participle of relēgāre “to send away, dispatch”; re-, legate
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.
There’s no doubt that Canada came to Italy as the favorite, boasting a lineup so wildly loaded with talent that Sidney Crosby was relegated to a supporting role.
If Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had been a scandal-hit politician or a relegated football manager or troubled CEO he would have been sacked, replaced and forgotten years ago.
From BBC
Saracens were relegated from the Premiership at the end of the 2019–20 season following persistent salary cap breaches, bringing more adversity for Itoje to contend with.
From BBC
VAR will be the thing that makes me turn in my season ticket, and if West Ham do get relegated the lack of VAR will be a blessing.
From BBC
He was relegated last season but earned his way back at last month's LIV Golf Promotions when he claimed one of three qualifying spots.
From Barron's
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.
