delegation
Americannoun
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a group or body of delegates.
Our club sent a delegation to the rally.
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the body of delegates chosen to represent a political unit, as a state, in an assembly.
the New Jersey delegation in Congress.
- Synonyms:
- commission
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the act of delegating.
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the state of being delegated.
noun
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a person or group chosen to represent another or others
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the act of delegating or state of being delegated
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politics all the members of Congress from one state
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of delegation
First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin dēlēgātiōn-, stem of dēlēgātiō “assignment, appointment,” equivalent to dēlēgāt(us) “assigned, appointed” ( see delegate) + -iō -ion
Explanation
A delegation is a group of people who act as representatives of a larger group. If you’re a member of Congress from the Sunshine State, you’re a member of the Florida delegation. Ever seen the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games? Each country's delegation enters the stadium as a group, marching behind its own flag. Some delegations are a few hundred people, some are only a few, but each delegation is made up of the athletes and coaches sent to represent their country. You can also use delegation to mean assigning something to someone. While you're in the Amazon, you'll need to arrange with your roommates for delegation of your bill-paying duties.
Vocabulary lists containing delegation
Flowers for Algernon
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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
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Bill Withers (1938–2020) Tribute List
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Taiwan is not officially represented at the forum, and China, for the second consecutive year, has sent a watered-down delegation that does not include its defence minister.
From Barron's • May 30, 2026
But this is the second year in a row that China has declined to send its defence minister, instead choosing to send a lower-level delegation.
From BBC • May 30, 2026
His delegation included his wife, dressed in hunter’s camo; her twin sister; an ex-Green Beret who helped with logistics; and a doctor who volunteered to assess medical needs on the island.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
Baqaei said a delegation from Qatar had also held talks with the Iranian foreign minister on Friday.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
To maintain the aura of technical consultation, Dulles decreed that no diplomatic staff would be formally assigned to the delegation.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
