Word: Decentralise (or Decentralize in American English)
Definition:
To decentralise means to distribute or spread out power, control, or responsibility away from a central location or authority. In simpler terms, it means moving decision-making closer to the people who are affected by those decisions instead of having everything controlled by one central person or place.
Usage Instructions:
- It is a verb, so you can use it with different subjects (I decentralise, you decentralise, he/she/it decentralises, we decentralise, they decentralise). - It often appears in discussions about government, organizations, or systems, especially when talking about how to improve efficiency or give more power to local units.
Example:
"After the revolution, food distribution was decentralised, allowing local farmers to sell directly to consumers."
Advanced Usage:
Decentralisation can refer to various areas, such as economics (decentralising financial systems), technology (decentralised networks like blockchain), or governance (decentralised government structures). When discussing these topics, you might encounter phrases like "decentralised finance (DeFi)" or "decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs)."
Word Variants:
- Decentralised (British English spelling) - Decentralization (the noun form) - Decentralised (the adjective form)
Different Meanings:
While "decentralise" primarily refers to distributing control, in a broader sense, it can also imply reducing the concentration of power or authority in any system, which can apply to social structures or corporate environments.
Synonyms:
- Disperse - Distribute - Delegate - Spread out
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly include "decentralise," but you might come across phrases like "hand over power" or "pass the buck," which suggest moving responsibility from one person or group to another.
In Summary:
Decentralise is about moving power away from a central authority to allow for more local control or participation.