decentralize

[ dee-sen-truh-lahyz ]

/ diˈsɛn trəˌlaɪz /

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See synonyms for: decentralize / decentralized 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.

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

Origin of decentralize

First recorded in 1850–55; de- + centralize

OTHER WORDS FROM decentralize

de·cen·tral·ist, nounde·cen·tral·i·za·tion

[dee-sen-truh-lahy-zey-shuhn], /diˌsɛn trə laɪˈzeɪ ʃən/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use decentralize in a sentence

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
Noah Millman argues for school decentralization and autonomy instead of standardized tests.
Should Teachers Be Graded On Standardized Tests?|Megan McArdle|September 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Howard advocates pushing responsibility down, but the ultimate decentralization is to empower people themselves.
Give the Power to Individuals!|Eugene Steuerle|October 1, 2010|DAILY BEAST
No more logical deduction was possible than this commencement of decentralization within the Prussian monarchy.
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 4 of 8|Various
One main cause for this, perhaps, was the decentralization of the South.
Four Years in Rebel Capitals|T. C. DeLeon
The decentralization of the public school system caused many abuses to spring up.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 5, 1920|Various
It is not a question of decentralization; it is your political fetichism which I attack.
What is Property?|P. J. Proudhon
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

British Dictionary definitions for decentralize

decentralize

decentralise

/ (diːˈsɛntrəˌlaɪz) /

verb

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

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

Derived forms of decentralize

decentralist, 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

decentralize

Origin of decentralize

OTHER WORDS FROM decentralize

Words related to decentralize

How to use decentralize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for decentralize

decentralise

Derived forms of decentralize