centralization
Americannoun
-
the act or fact of centralizing; fact of being centralized.
-
the concentration of administrative power in a central government, authority, etc.
-
Chiefly Sociology.
-
a process whereby social groups and institutions become increasingly dependent on a central group or institution.
-
concentration of control or power in a few individuals.
-
Other Word Forms
- anticentralization adjective
- overcentralization noun
- procentralization adjective
- recentralization noun
Etymology
Origin of centralization
First recorded in 1795–1805; centralize + -ation
Explanation
Centralization means bringing things to one central place or under unified control. The centralization of a school district might mean the superintendent makes important decisions for all the schools, rather than leaving those choices to individual principals. Centralization can refer to the consolidation of operations, like the centralization of a company's distribution, so that all the products they make are shipped out from one central warehouse. However, it often refers to the consolidation of power or control. When centralization occurs in a government, it means a small group increasingly controls everything; the disadvantage to extreme centralization is that there aren't enough checks and balances to that power.
Vocabulary lists containing centralization
U.S. Government - Middle School and High School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Chinese History - Middle School and High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Content Summary 3.3: Postclassical States in East Asia
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Previously known as Clear Channel Communications, the company has experienced the dark side of automation and programming centralization.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025
The late Roman Empire undermined its commercial economy through centralization, regulation and debasing the currency.
From The Wall Street Journal • Aug. 29, 2025
“At the end of the day, it’s centralization, not technology, that affects wealth and equality,” he explained.
From Salon • Feb. 18, 2025
Historically, SPS offered this in a cohort model, where HC students are concentrated in a few schools because centralization is cost-effective.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 11, 2024
This visible evidence of political centralization that the kofun provide reinforces the accounts of Kofun era Japanese emperors written down much later in Japanese and Korean chronicles.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
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.
