Delegating: meaning, definitions and examples

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delegating

[ˈdɛlɪˌɡeɪtɪŋ ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Verb}

management

Delegating is the act of entrusting someone else with a task or responsibility, typically a subordinate or team member. It involves assigning authority and accountability for specific activities or decisions to others.

Synonyms

assigning, empowering, entrusting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
delegating	Used when passing on responsibility or tasks to others, especially in a work or leadership context. Often implies giving authority to someone to act on behalf of the delegator. The manager is good at delegating tasks to his team. She delegated the project management duties to her assistant.
assigning	Used in various situations where specific tasks or duties are given to someone. It is often used in both formal and informal settings. The teacher is assigning homework to the students. He assigned the most difficult parts of the project to the senior engineer.
entrusting	Used when giving someone the responsibility for something valuable or important, often implying trust and confidence in the person's ability and integrity. He was entrusted with the company's confidential information. They entrusted her with the keys to their home while they were on vacation.
empowering	Used when giving someone the power or authority to do something, also carries a sense of enabling someone to feel more confident and capable. The new policy is aimed at empowering employees to make their own decisions. She felt empowered after her boss asked her to lead the meeting.

Examples of usage

Managers often practice delegating to empower their team members.
She is skilled at delegating tasks to ensure efficiency within the team.
Delegating allows leaders to focus on strategic planning and higher-level tasks.
Effective delegating requires clear communication and trust between the delegator and the delegatee.
Delegating can help develop the skills and confidence of team members.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'delegare', which means 'to send as a representative'.
It entered English in the late 14th century, linking to responsibilities shared within groups.

Business

Effective delegating can improve team productivity and morale by empowering others.
Leaders who delegate often find they can focus on higher-level tasks and strategic planning.

Psychology

Research shows that when people delegate, they often experience less stress and burnout.
Delegating can help build trust within teams, as members feel valued and responsible for their contributions.

Education

In classrooms, teachers often delegate tasks to students, fostering independence and leadership skills.
Projects that require group work often include delegating as a key component of collaboration.

Pop Culture

Movies about leadership often include scenes where a character learns the importance of delegating, showcasing personal growth.
Books on management frequently emphasize delegating as a crucial skill for successful leaders.

Translations

Translations of the word "delegating" in other languages:

🇵🇹 delegando

🇮🇳 प्रतिनिधि बनाना

🇩🇪 delegieren

🇮🇩 mendelegasikan

🇺🇦 делегування

🇵🇱 delegowanie

🇯🇵 委任する (いにんする)

🇫🇷 déléguer

🇪🇸 delegar

🇹🇷 delege etmek

🇰🇷 위임하다 (wi-imhada)

🇸🇦 تفويض (tafweeḍ)

🇨🇿 delegování

🇸🇰 delegovanie

🇨🇳 委派 (wěipài)

🇸🇮 delegiranje

🇮🇸 umboðsveiting

🇰🇿 өкілеттік беру

🇬🇪 დელეგირება

🇦🇿 nümayəndəlik

🇲🇽 delegar

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,810, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
22807 ostentation
22808 magisterial
22809 reinvested
22810 delegating
22811 visualizing
22812 votive
22813 sneakers
...