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

Because of the decentralization of the creative process over the last 40 years. —Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025

Barkin stressed the importance of decentralization and giving both creators and fans a stake in IP. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025

The momentum coincided with a broader wave of decentralization in tech, from the blockchain boom to federated networks like Mastodon and Bluesky. —Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025

But the armed forces also strive to take advantage of decentralization, harnessing it to drive innovation and effectiveness on the battlefield. —Tamar Jacoby, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 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