decentralized

Language: en

🇺🇸 /dɪˈsɛntrəˌlaɪzd/

📖 Definitions

  1. adjective
    Having authority, power, or functions distributed away from a central location or authority; not concentrated in a single point or entity.; Relating to a system or network in which no single node or entity has control over the whole, such as in blockchain technology or peer-to-peer networks.; Dispersed or spread out over a wide area rather than being concentrated in one place.; In political science, referring to a form of governance where decision-making power is transferred from a central government to local or regional authorities.
  2. verb
    Past tense and past participle of 'decentralize'; to have distributed functions, powers, or processes away from a central authority or location.

🔗 Details

Word forms

3rd sing.: decentralizes Past: decentralized Past part.: decentralized Pres part.: decentralizing

Collocations

decentralized systemdecentralized networkdecentralized governmentdecentralized controldecentralized decision-makingdecentralized finance

Derivatives

decentralizationdecentraliseddecentralistdecentralizing

Synonyms

distributedispersedevolvedelegatediffuse

Antonyms

centralizeconcentrate

Commonly confused

decentralised
EN: 'Decentralised' is the British English spelling; 'decentralized' is the American English spelling. Both are correct in their respective varieties.

Spelling tips

EN: Remember the American spelling uses 'z' (decentralize/decentralized) while British English uses 's' (decentralise/decentralised). Do not mix the two conventions within a single text.

💬 Examples

  1. The company adopted a decentralized management structure, giving regional offices more autonomy.

  2. Bitcoin operates on a decentralized network of computers that validate transactions without a central bank.

  3. The decentralized population made it difficult to provide public services efficiently.

  4. The country transitioned to a decentralized federal system, empowering state governments to make their own policies.

  5. The government decentralized its operations to reduce bureaucratic delays.