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
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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.
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
The delegation — the first since Russian dictator Vladimir Putin annexed Crimea in March 2014 — was headed, symbolically, by Vyacheslav Nikonov, a lawmaker from Putin’s United Russia party and the grandson of Joseph Stalin’s Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov.
—
Vladimir Kara-Murza, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Gattuso’s departure comes a day after Italy’s soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina resigned along with Gianluigi Buffon, who was the national team’s delegation chief.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
After the audience, Rockingham said the delegation toured the Sistine Chapel, famous, in part, for the ceiling frescos painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
The bill is backed by a bipartisan delegation of lawmakers representing towns in the Litchfield Hills, who described the NRRA as part of a broader effort to regionalize public services that has proven popular and cost-effective for residents.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for delegation
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Vladimir Kara-Murza, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Gattuso’s departure comes a day after Italy’s soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina resigned along with Gianluigi Buffon, who was the national team’s delegation chief.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
After the audience, Rockingham said the delegation toured the Sistine Chapel, famous, in part, for the ceiling frescos painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
The bill is backed by a bipartisan delegation of lawmakers representing towns in the Litchfield Hills, who described the NRRA as part of a broader effort to regionalize public services that has proven popular and cost-effective for residents.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for delegation
Cite this Entry
“Delegation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delegation. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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