delegation

noun

del·​e·​ga·​tion ˌde-li-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the act of empowering to act for another

the delegation of responsibilities

2

: a group of persons chosen to represent others

the state's congressional delegation

Did you know?

What Is a delegation?

The task of a delegation—each member of which can be called a delegate—is to represent a larger group, often at a conference. Thus, a delegation of nondoctors to a medical convention may want to make sure the rights and needs of patients aren't ignored, just as a delegation of laypeople may attend a religious conference to express the concerns of other laypeople.

Synonyms of delegation

• contingent

Examples of delegation in a Sentence

He's been chosen to lead the delegation to the conference.

a delegation from the local scout troop is being sent to the national jamboree

Recent Examples on the Web

Around 60 percent of visitors are from outside France, with two‑thirds of its international crowd drawn from greater Europe, a solid base from the Middle East and more selective but still active delegations from Asia and the Americas. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

The Saudi delegation is not fundraising for a specific project from the event, which is being arranged by US investment bank Lazard. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026

The usual delegation decision to automate the repetitive and reserve the creative is not enough. — Fernando Fainzilber, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026

The attempt this year feels like nothing more than a continuation of the effort that transformed Maryland’s congressional delegation from an equal split in 2002 to a delegation composed of seven Democrats and one Republican. — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French delegacion "transmission, act of delegating," borrowed from Late Latin dēlēgātiōn-, dēlēgātiō "mandate, authority," going back to Latin, "assignment to a third party of the interest in or liability for a debt," from dēlēgāre "to assign (someone to a task), appoint, put in charge (of), entrust, transfer ownership (to)" + -tiōn-, tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at delegate entry 2

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing delegation

• congressional delegation

Rhymes for delegation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

delegation

noun

del·​e·​ga·​tion ˌdel-i-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the act of delegating power or authority to another

2

: one or more persons chosen to represent others

Legal Definition

delegation

noun

del·​e·​ga·​tion ˌde-li-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the act of delegating

2

: a group of persons chosen to represent others