relegation

[rel-i-gey-shuhn]

noun

1. assignment or banishment to an inferior position, place, rank, or condition.

   Many factors are responsible for the relegation of disabled people to the margins of society.

   The pending legislation shows the relegation of environmental concerns toward the bottom of the priority list in energy politics.

2. Soccer.,  demotion to a lower playing league or division based on a team’s record.

   The European leagues are a meritocratic hierarchy connected by promotion and relegation.

Word History and Origins

Origin of relegation¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin relēgātiōn-, stem of relēgātiō “a sending away, banishment”; relegate ( def. ), -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

The last occasion Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with a relegation.

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Gladbach, who had spent much of the early season in the relegation zone, were also in a rich vein of form having won their last four matches and had the better of proceedings.

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If Liverpool aren't careful, we could be headed for relegation this season.

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Patrick Bamford lifted Sheffield United out of the Championship relegation zone with a goal on his full debut to inspire Wednesday's 3-0 win against Portsmouth.

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That is the reason why this side were just a point above the relegation zone before Saturday's landmark win.

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Related Words

• banishment 
• discharge 
• displacement 
• ejection 
• eviction 
• exclusion 
• ouster 
• purge 
• removal 
• suspension