legation
Americannoun
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a diplomatic minister and staff in a foreign mission.
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the official headquarters of a diplomatic minister.
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the office or position of a legate; mission.
noun
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a diplomatic mission headed by a minister
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the official residence and office of a diplomatic minister
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the act of sending forth a diplomatic envoy
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the mission or business of a diplomatic envoy
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the rank or office of a legate
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of legation
1425–75; late Middle English legacion < Latin lēgātiōn- (stem of lēgātiō ) embassy. See legate, -ion
Explanation
A legation is a smaller, slightly less important embassy. In other words, it's an office for one country's official representatives in another country. While legations were once much more popular than embassies, they mostly disappeared after World War II. In both kinds of outposts, groups from a foreign country are sent to represent their home state within a host country. Think of the Ethiopian and French embassies in Washington D.C. Legation is an Old French word that comes from the Latin legationem, "the office of an ambassador." The head of a legation was usually called a "minister."
Vocabulary lists containing legation
Selection Vocabulary 2, Unit 5
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The Executive Branch at Work, Sections 4–6
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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.
Charles Lanman was the secretary to the Japanese legation.
From Washington Post • Mar. 28, 2020
“Teachers feel last year was reactive. Last year legation was passed and then we stood up. We want to be on the forefront.”
From Seattle Times • Mar. 7, 2019
The right of legation is an ancient practice.
From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2016
The Cubans outside the American diplomatic legation periodically let out a cheer, especially when someone who appeared to be American approached.
From The New Yorker • Aug. 14, 2015
I knew that I could rely on Lloyd C. Griscom, the secretary who would be in charge, for a tactful and efficient handling of the affairs of the legation.
From Under Four Administrations From Cleveland to Taft by Straus, Oscar S.
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.
