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

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

That was the message once again from Prime Minister Netanyahu at the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday, where many delegates walked out in protest as he took to the stage.

From BBC

Last year, the delegates laughed at the president.

From Salon

Though the reaction from delegates was largely muted, some were visibly squirming in their seats as the US president addressed the UN for the first time since he began his second term.

From BBC

Tarango sees it as big opportunity for California tribes to share their experiences on a global stage, while also learning from the hundreds of Indigenous delegates expected to visit from Latin America and elsewhere.

From Los Angeles Times

Remind yourself that brain fog is usually temporary and it's okay to slow down, delegate tasks or ask for help when you need it.

From BBC

Related Words

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