relegate

American  

[rel-i-geyt] / ˈrɛl ɪˌgeɪt /

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.

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relegate British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of relegate

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

Example Sentences

“He’s going to be relegated to going down the food chain in terms of the size of the enterprise to become a CEO, if that is his aspiration.”

From The Wall Street Journal

In Naples, Italy, the past isn’t relegated to what’s behind us.

From Los Angeles Times

Leicester City are the only other members of the undesirable 'Premier League champions to be relegated' club.

From BBC

I actually pity other drivers on the road—and I pity myself, when I’m relegated to our gas-powered vehicle.

From The Wall Street Journal

Meanwhile, it would seem like West Ham are the most likely to be relegated as not only do they currently sit in the bottom three, they also have the toughest run-in of the four sides.

From BBC

Related Words

• consign
• entrust
• refer