decentralization
noun
de·cen·tral·i·za·tion
| \ (ˌ)dē-ˌsen-trə-lə-ˈzā-shən
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Definition of decentralization
1
: the dispersion or distribution of functions and powers
a decentralization of powers
specifically, government
: the delegation of power from a central authority to regional and local authorities
the decentralization of the state's public school system government decentralization
2
sociology
: the redistribution of population and industry from urban centers to outlying areas