relegate

[rel-i-geyt]

verb (used with object)

relegated, relegating 

1. to send or consign to an inferior position, place, or condition.

   He has been relegated to a post at the fringes of the diplomatic service.

2. to consign or commit (a matter, task, etc.), as to a person.

   He relegates the less pleasant tasks to his assistant.

   Synonyms: entrust, consign, assign

3. to assign or refer (something) to a particular class or kind.

4. to send into exile; banish.

relegate

/ ˈrɛlɪˌɡeɪt /

verb

1. to move to a position of less authority, importance, etc; demote

2. (usually passive) to demote (a football team, etc) to a lower division

3. to assign or refer (a matter) to another or others, as for action or decision

4. (foll by to) to banish or exile

5. to assign (something) to a particular group or category

Other Word Forms

• relegation noun
• relegatable adjective
• relegable adjective
• unrelegable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of relegate¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English from Latin relēgātus, past participle of relēgāre “to send away, dispatch”; re-, legate

Word History and Origins

Origin of relegate¹

C16: from Latin relēgāre to send away, from _re- + lēgāre to send

Example Sentences

There is no option other than to relegate herself to this turmoil.

Read more on Salon

United finished 15th in the Premier League last season, their worst performance since the 1973-74 campaign in which they were relegated from the top flight.

Read more on BBC

In 2023-24, two of their three league wins were against relegated Bristol City.

Read more on BBC

He was relegated to backup duties, then ultimately the minor leagues.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

What remains is a flattened, inaccurate history that centers white heterosexual Christian men as the architects of American greatness, relegating others to mere bystanders or occupying passive, supporting roles.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• consign 
• entrust 
• refer