centralization

[sen-truh-luh-zey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or fact of centralizing; fact of being centralized.

2. the concentration of administrative power in a central government, authority, etc.

3. Chiefly Sociology.

   1. a process whereby social groups and institutions become increasingly dependent on a central group or institution.

   2. concentration of control or power in a few individuals.

Other Word Forms

• anticentralization adjective
• overcentralization noun
• procentralization adjective
• recentralization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of centralization¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; centralize + -ation

Example Sentences

The great ironic twist is that having drawn on conspiracist narratives about the centralization and misuse of power, he is now moving aggressively to centralize and misuse power himself.

From Salon

He believes that as long as our financial structures maintain their centralization, the rich will get richer, and the poor will get poorer.

From Salon

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

But Albert Wu, an expert on governance in China, believes that role has been eroded by the centralization of power under Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

From Seattle Times

Extreme centralization also hasn’t helped Mexico much in the past in many areas.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• unification