# decentralized

/dɪˈsɛntɹəˌɫaɪzd/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/decentralized
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

describing a system where power or control is spread out among many people or places instead of one central leader.

For teachers: characterised by the distribution of administrative powers or functions over a less concentrated area; not controlled by a single central authority.

## Examples

- The company uses a decentralized system for making local decisions.
- A decentralized network is often more resilient because there is no single point of failure that can crash the whole system.
- The shift toward a decentralized governance model allowed individual regional offices to tailor their strategies to local market conditions without waiting for approval from the head office.

## Usage notes

- Often used to describe organizational structures, computer networks, or political systems. Frequently follows a linking verb or precedes a noun.

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