decentralize
dee-SEN-truh-lyze
/diːˈsɛntrəlaɪz/
To transfer authority, power, or functions from a central location to local or peripheral branches.
Emphasizes distributing governance or economic activity away from a single focal point.
The story behind the word. Formed during the French Revolution ('décentraliser') to describe breaking up centralized autocratic government power in Paris and spreading administrative duties to local departments.
Word relationships
- disperse: Disperse means to scatter widely, whereas decentralize means restructuring system organization to outer hubs.
- delegate: Delegate means passing specific tasks to subordinates, while decentralize changes entire structural control.
- centralize: Centralize means concentrating control or location into a single central core.
Commonly confused with
- decentralize vs devolve: Devolve specifically transfers political powers to lower regional governments; decentralize applies broadly to systems, companies, and cities.
Word family
- decentralization (noun): The process of redistributing functions away from a central location.
Collocations
- decentralize authority
- decentralize power
- decentralize operations
Example sentences
- "The regional council chose to decentralize administrative offices across four suburban hubs to relieve downtown gridlock." Governance & Economics
Memory hook
DE (away from) + CENTER = moving away from the main center. De-centering power away from the capital.
When not to use
Do not use to describe physical dismantling or destruction of buildings.
Fun facts
- Alexis de Tocqueville praised early American government specifically for its decentralized administration.
Related words
Explore more words
decentralization, devolve, subsidiarity, localism, empower, delegate
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