delegate

[del-i-git, -geyt, del-i-geyt]

noun

1. a person designated to act for or represent another or others; deputy; representative, as in a political convention.

2. (formerly) the representative of a Territory in the U.S. House of Representatives.

3. a member of the lower house of the state legislature of Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia.

verb (used with object)

delegated, delegating 

1. to send or appoint (a person) as deputy or representative.

2. to commit (powers, functions, etc.) to another as agent or deputy.

   Synonyms: transfer, assign, entrust

delegate

/ ˈdɛlɪɡəbəl /

noun

1. a person chosen or elected to act for or represent another or others, esp at a conference or meeting

2. government a representative of a territory in the US House of Representatives

verb

1. to give or commit (duties, powers, etc) to another as agent or representative; depute

2. (tr) to send, authorize, or elect (a person) as agent or representative

3. (tr) to assign (a person owing a debt to oneself) to one's creditor in substitution for oneself

Other Word Forms

• delegatee noun
• delegator noun
• nondelegate noun
• predelegate noun
• redelegate verb (used with object)
• subdelegate verb (used with object)
• undelegated adjective
• delegable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of delegate¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (past participle) delegat, from Medieval Latin dēlēgātus, noun use of past participle of dēlēgāre “to assign,” equivalent to dē- de- + lēgātus “deputed”; legate

Word History and Origins

Origin of delegate¹

C14: from Latin dēlēgāre to send on a mission, from lēgāre to send, depute; see _legate

Example Sentences

Think of it like a manager delegating tasks to workers with different degrees of expertise.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But I was quickly hooked on delegating tedious, low-stakes tasks like booking restaurant reservations and finding furniture with precise dimensions.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Great. I love Hitler,” wrote another when told delegates would vote for the most far-right candidate.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Asking for help or delegating tasks can also boost the sense of support and control.

Read more on Science Daily

The two parties released a joint statement on Friday saying they have "initiated, in a spirit of dialogue and cooperation, a series of discussions relating to the delegated management of protected areas".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• commissioner 
• deputy 
• envoy 
• member 
• minister 
• nominee 
• senator