Delegate

/ˈdɛlɪɡət/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A person chosen or elected to act or represent others, especially at a conference.

Each state sends a delegate to the national convention to represent its interests.

A representative or agent with specific authority.

The delegate was tasked with negotiating the terms of the agreement.

verb

To assign responsibility or authority to another person.

The manager decided to delegate the tasks to her team to improve efficiency.

To act as a representative on behalf of others.

She was chosen to delegate the committee's decisions at the annual conference.

From Latin 'delegatus', past participle of 'delegare', meaning 'to send as a representative'.

delegate authority

To give someone else the power to make decisions.

delegate responsibility

To assign tasks to another person.

delegate tasks

To distribute duties among team members.

delegation

A group of delegates representing others.

delegatee

A person to whom a delegation is made.

delegating

The act of assigning tasks to others.

To pass the buck

Stop delegating problems; take responsibility.

Hand off

He just hands off the tasks to his assistant.