# relegation

/ɹˌɛlɪɡˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/relegation
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. sports demotion

noun · CEFR B2

when a sports team is moved down to a lower league because they performed poorly.

For teachers: the transfer of a sports team to a lower division as a result of poor performance during a season.

- The team faced relegation to the second division after losing their final match of the season.
- The club's sudden relegation led to a significant loss in television revenue and the departure of several star players.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'to'.

### 2. general demotion

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of moving someone or something to a less important or lower position.

For teachers: the assignment of a person, task, or idea to an inferior rank or less prominent status.

- His relegation to a desk job felt like a punishment for his mistakes.
- The author complained about the relegation of her most important arguments to the footnotes of the book.

Usage: Commonly used in abstract contexts regarding status or priority.

## Examples

- The team faces relegation if they lose their next match.
- After a season of consistent losses, the club's relegation to the second division was confirmed last night.
- The financial implications of relegation from the top flight are often devastating, as clubs lose significant television revenue and must frequently sell their most valuable players to balance the books.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.