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
Examples of decentralization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The decentralization capabilities have also become a valuable asset in political, social and economic areas.
—
Dmitry Mishunin, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
But regardless of the outcome, the accusations leveled via the cases gesture to themes that have defined the latest chapter in crypto’s short history: chicanery and profiteering, concealed by a veneer of decentralization.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2023
The closest era to our own, in terms of the rapid decentralization of information technology, is the eighteenth century, when printing became cheaper and harder to control.
—Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
How does local first computing fit into the discussion around decentralization?
—WIRED, 3 Aug. 2023
Bitcoin proved this long ago, and, as Walden pointed out to me, there are other recent successful examples of decentralization such as the giant DeFi platform Uniswap.
—Byjeff John Roberts, Fortune Crypto, 6 Oct. 2023
After a rebel victory at Debaltseve in 2015, the parties returned to the negotiating table to discuss elections and decentralization in detail.
—Michael C. Desch, Harper's Magazine, 11 Sep. 2023
Unlike other financial sectors, where the sole priority is maximizing returns, blockchain technology was built on ideals of decentralization and economic liberty, with the promise of some utopian future exploited to mask uncomfortable truths.
—Byleo Schwartz, Fortune Crypto, 30 Aug. 2023
Web3 promises decentralization—in effect, data that is owned by no one.
—Jamilia Grier, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2023
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Dmitry Mishunin, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
But regardless of the outcome, the accusations leveled via the cases gesture to themes that have defined the latest chapter in crypto’s short history: chicanery and profiteering, concealed by a veneer of decentralization.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 22 Nov. 2023
The closest era to our own, in terms of the rapid decentralization of information technology, is the eighteenth century, when printing became cheaper and harder to control.
—Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
How does local first computing fit into the discussion around decentralization?
—WIRED, 3 Aug. 2023
Bitcoin proved this long ago, and, as Walden pointed out to me, there are other recent successful examples of decentralization such as the giant DeFi platform Uniswap.
—Byjeff John Roberts, Fortune Crypto, 6 Oct. 2023
After a rebel victory at Debaltseve in 2015, the parties returned to the negotiating table to discuss elections and decentralization in detail.
—Michael C. Desch, Harper's Magazine, 11 Sep. 2023
Unlike other financial sectors, where the sole priority is maximizing returns, blockchain technology was built on ideals of decentralization and economic liberty, with the promise of some utopian future exploited to mask uncomfortable truths.
—Byleo Schwartz, Fortune Crypto, 30 Aug. 2023
Web3 promises decentralization—in effect, data that is owned by no one.
—Jamilia Grier, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decentralization.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near decentralization
Cite this Entry
“Decentralization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decentralization. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.
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