delegate

1 of 2

noun

del·​e·​gate ˈde-li-gət  -ˌgāt 

: a person acting for another: such as

a

: a representative to a convention or conference

U.N. delegates from African nations

The nominee netted a handful of delegates in the state's caucus.

b

government : a representative of a U.S. territory in the House of Representatives

c

government : a member of the lower house of the legislature of Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia

delegate

2 of 2

verb

del·​e·​gate ˈde-li-ˌgāt 

delegated; delegating

transitive verb

1

: to entrust to another

delegate authority

delegated the task to her assistant

2

: to appoint as one's representative

intransitive verb

: to assign responsibility or authority

a good manager knows how to delegate

delegatee

ˌde-li-gə-ˈtē 

noun

delegator

ˈde-li-ˌgā-tər 

noun

Did you know?

To delegate is, literally or figuratively, to send another in one’s place, an idea that is reflected in the word’s origin: it is a descendant of the Latin word legare, meaning “to send.” The noun delegate, which refers to a person who is chosen or elected to vote or act for others, arrived in English in the 14th century, while the verb didn't make its entrée till the early 16th century. Some distant cousins of the word delegate that also trace back to legare include legacy, colleague, relegate, and legate, “an official representative sent to a foreign country.”

Synonyms

Noun

• ambassador
• representative
• envoy
• minister

Verb

• appoint
• deputize

Examples of delegate in a Sentence

Noun

the U.N. delegates from African countries

He's been chosen as a delegate to the convention.

Verb

A manager should delegate authority to the best employees.

Those chores can be delegated to someone else.

He doesn't delegate very well.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The incumbent Democratic delegate, 88, has faced growing calls to let a new generation fill her seat due to mounting concerns about the councilwoman’s ability to represent constituents because of her age. —Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2025

The Barcelona delegate, as portrayed by an overly ceceando Mikey Day, suggested skipping the tiresome lecture, only to be taken off camera to be beheaded. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025

Verb

May is the time to invest wisely, delegate responsibly, and set the foundations of your kingdom. —Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025

With the growth of front offices, most teams have assistant general managers and other high-ranking executives participate in trade talks, either to leverage specific relationships or as a way to delegate and streamline the work. —Brittany Ghiroli, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English delegat, from Medieval Latin delegatus, from Latin, past participle of delegare to delegate, from de- + legare to send — more at legate

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing delegate

• apostolic delegate
• walking delegate

Rhymes for delegate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

delegate

1 of 2 noun

del·​e·​gate ˈdel-i-gət 

-ˌgāt

: a person sent with power to act for another : representative

delegate

2 of 2 verb

del·​e·​gate ˈdel-i-ˌgāt 

delegated; delegating

1

: to entrust to another

delegate authority

2

: to appoint as one's delegate

Legal Definition

delegate

1 of 2 noun

del·​e·​gate ˈde-li-gət 

: a person empowered to act on behalf of another: as

a

: a person who is authorized to perform another's duties under a contract

b

: a representative to a convention (as of a political party) or conference

c

: a representative of a U.S. territory in the House of Representatives

d

: a member of the lower house of the legislature of Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia

delegate

2 of 2 verb

del·​e·​gate ˈde-li-ˌgāt 

delegated; delegating

transitive verb

1

: to entrust or transfer (as power, authority, or responsibility) to another: as

a

: to transfer (one's contractual duties) to another

b

: to empower a body (as an administrative agency) to perform (a governmental function) see also nondelegation doctrine

2

: to appoint as one's representative

intransitive verb

: to transfer responsibility or authority

Etymology

Noun

Medieval Latin delegatus, from Latin, past participle of delegare to appoint, put in charge