relegation
Americannoun
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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.
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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.
Etymology
Origin of relegation
First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin relēgātiōn-, stem of relēgātiō “a sending away, banishment”; see relegate ( def. ), -ion ( def. )
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.
In his time at Villa he has transformed the side, from a group who were in a relegation fight to one who have qualified for European football every season under his management.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
Parker previously led Fulham, Bournemouth and Burnley to promotion from the Championship, but has been out of work since leaving the Clarets in April after their relegation from the Premier League.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
In 2010-11, despite the Hammers' relegation from the Premier League, Parker also won the Football Writers' Association footballer of the year award and was nominated for the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
The departures of players including Mateus Fernandes, Crysencio Summerville, El Hadji Malick Diouf, James Ward-Prowse and Freddie Potts secured the club about £150m in transfer revenue over the summer following their relegation.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
Yet ultimately the impression of his own relegation to a secondary place remained elusive and incommunicable.
From Poor Relations by Compton MacKenzie
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