-ˌgāt
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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.”
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Examples of delegate in a Sentence
Sara Dorn, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
The industry forum welcomed more than 3,000 delegates and 800-plus media were accredited to the LFF and attended press & industry screenings of 159 films.
—Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024
Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
In a novel strategy made possible by new leniencies in campaign finance rules allowing campaigns to coordinate with super PACs and other groups, the Trump campaign has largely delegated voter-turnout efforts.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Delegate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delegate. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.
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delegate
1 of 2 noun
delegate
2 of 2 verb
Legal Definition
delegate
1 of 2 noun
delegate
2 of 2 verb
Noun
Medieval Latin delegatus, from Latin, past participle of delegare to appoint, put in charge
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