decentralize

[dee-sen-truh-lahyz]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR decentralize ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), de·cen·tral·ized, de·cen·tral·iz·ing.

to distribute the administrative powers or functions of (a central authority) over a less concentrated area: to decentralize the national government.

to disperse (something) from an area of concentration: to decentralize the nation's industry.

verb (used without object), de·cen·tral·ized, de·cen·tral·iz·ing.

to undergo decentralization: The city government is looking for ways to decentralize.

Also especially British, de·cen·tral·ise.

Origin of decentralize

First recorded in 1850–55; de- + centralize

Related formsde·cen·tral·ist, nounde·cen·tral·i·za·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for decentralization

Each side can appreciate some but not all aspects of decentralization.
Relax—Both Parties Are Going Extinct|Nick Gillespie|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Decentralization should cover every aspect of publishing, including acquisition.
5 Ways to Fix Book Publishing|Anis Shivani|July 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The problem with that is that it represents a sort of decentralization.
Literary City: Jay McInerney’s New York|Henry Krempels|January 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Decentralization has been the essential fact of Afghan life for centuries.
Karzai's Newest Lie|Stephen Kinzer|July 20, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Is the highest effectiveness of a library to be secured by a policy of decentralization?
Papers and Proceedings of the Twenty-Third General Meeting of the American Library Association|Various
It professes to be a plan for a reorganization of the Vilayets, on the principle of decentralization and local self-government.
The Contemporary Review, Volume 36, October 1879|Various
The work of decentralization in England is rapidly going on.
British Political Leaders|Justin McCarthy
Three years ago I attempted the fabrication of alternative railroad centralization and decentralization schemes.
Our Railroads To-Morrow|Edward Hungerford
At the same time, the decentralization of industries began and a people's militia was created.
A history of China., [3d ed. rev. and enl.]|Wolfram Eberhard

British Dictionary definitions for decentralization

decentralize

decentralise

verb

to reorganize (a government, industry, etc) into smaller more autonomous units

to disperse (a concentration, as of industry or population)

Derived Formsdecentralist, noun, adjectivedecentralization or decentralisation, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for decentralization

1839, from de- + centralization.