decentralization

noun

de·​cen·​tral·​i·​za·​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌsen-trə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

1

: the dispersion or distribution of functions and powers

a decentralization of powers

specifically, government : the delegation of power from a central authority to regional and local authorities

the decentralization of the state's public school system

government decentralization

2

sociology : the redistribution of population and industry from urban centers to outlying areas

decentralize

(ˌ)dē-ˈsen-trə-ˌlīz 

verb

Examples of decentralization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Overall, says Napon, Anutin’s government may lean into decentralization, potentially granting more authority or more funding to local governments to start building support for future elections. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 5 Sep. 2025

The Wyoming Blockchain Conference had many talks and panels on crytpto-currency, digital public infrastructure, crypto-treasuries and decentralization of banking. —Vipin Bharathan, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Crypto does not need to replicate traditional finance precisely, nor compromise on its foundational principles of decentralization and openness. —Mark R. Weaver, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025

The decentralization of the broadcasts can get confusing, if not frustrating. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for decentralization

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization