Centralize: meaning, definitions and examples

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centralize

 

[ ˈsɛntrəˌlaɪz ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

data management

To bring together all the data, information, or resources in one central location or system.

Synonyms

centralise, consolidate, unify.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
centralize

This looks like a duplicate and could be a typo. It should be either 'centralize' (American English) or 'centralise' (British English).

consolidate

Used when combining multiple entities into a single, more effective or coherent whole. It is common in business contexts, but can also apply in personal contexts like consolidating debts.

  • The company is trying to consolidate its various departments to create a more efficient workflow.
  • She decided to consolidate her multiple loans into one to simplify her finances.
unify

This term is used when bringing together diverse elements into a cohesive or harmonious whole. It has a broader application and is often used in both social and organizational contexts.

  • The new leader's goal is to unify the different factions within the party.
  • Efforts to unify the two branches of the organization are underway.
centralise

This is the British English variant of 'centralize.' It is used in the same contexts as 'centralize' but preferred in regions that follow British spelling conventions.

  • The organization aims to centralise its management to streamline decision-making.
  • Efforts to centralise the financial departments are ongoing.

Examples of usage

  • Centralize all the company's data on the cloud server.
  • We need to centralize our customer information for easier access.
  • The goal is to centralize all project documents for better organization.
Context #2 | Verb

government

To concentrate power, control, or decision-making within a single authority or entity.

Synonyms

centralise, consolidate, unify.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
centralize

Used when referring to the action of bringing control or authority to a single, central point, often in an organizational or governmental context.

  • The company decided to centralize all its operations in one main office.
  • The government plans to centralize the healthcare system.
consolidate

More general than 'centralize', this term is used when combining various elements into a more effective or cohesive whole. This may not always involve bringing things to a central point but rather combining them in a manner that strengthens the unity or functioning of the whole.

  • We need to consolidate our resources to improve efficiency.
  • The company consolidated its multiple offices into a single building.
unify

Implies bringing various elements together to create unity and cohesion, often used in social, political, or organizational settings to highlight the goal of achieving harmony or agreement.

  • The leader's speech helped to unify the divided community.
  • Efforts were made to unify the different departments within the organization.
centralise

This is the British English spelling of 'centralize' and is used in the same contexts.

  • The corporation opted to centralise its administrative services.
  • The new policy aims to centralise decision-making in the hands of a few.

Examples of usage

  • The new policy aims to centralize decision-making in the hands of the board.
  • The government plans to centralize healthcare services under one ministry.
  • The company decided to centralize the management of all subsidiaries.

Translations

Translations of the word "centralize" in other languages:

🇵🇹 centralizar

🇮🇳 केन्द्रित करना

🇩🇪 zentralisieren

🇮🇩 memusatkan

🇺🇦 централізувати

🇵🇱 centralizować

🇯🇵 中央集権化する

🇫🇷 centraliser

🇪🇸 centralizar

🇹🇷 merkezileştirmek

🇰🇷 중앙집중화하다

🇸🇦 مركزية

🇨🇿 centralizovat

🇸🇰 centralizovať

🇨🇳 集中化

🇸🇮 centralizirati

🇮🇸 miðstýra

🇰🇿 орталықтандыру

🇬🇪 ცენტრალიზაცია

🇦🇿 mərkəzləşdirmək

🇲🇽 centralizar

Etymology

The word 'centralize' originated from the Latin word 'centralis', meaning 'pertaining to a center'. It first appeared in the English language in the early 19th century. The concept of centralization has been a key aspect of organizational and governmental structures, aiming to streamline operations and decision-making processes.

See also: centralise, centralized, centralizer, centralizing, decentralization.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,046, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.