delegate

Everyday

1. (noun) A person chosen to speak, vote or act for a group, especially at a meeting or conference. tree →
2. (verb) To give part of your work, power or a task to someone else to do for you. tree →
3. (verb, formal) To choose someone to act for a group. tree →

In the lessons

In school: a class delegate goes to the school council meeting; a leader learns to delegate jobs in group work. In news and politics: delegates at a conference or the United Nations. At home: parents delegate chores to children. Phrases: «delegate to», «delegate tasks», «a delegate to the conference».

Examples

• Each class chose one delegate for the school council. tree →
• Delegates from many countries met to talk about the oceans. tree →
• A good captain knows how to delegate jobs. tree →
• Mum delegated the washing-up to me. tree →
• The teacher delegated the job of handing out books to Priya. tree →
• Our delegate reported back to the class. tree →
• The manager delegated the planning to her team. tree →

Note

The noun and verb are spelled the same but pronounced differently: noun «DEL-i-gut», verb «DEL-i-gayt». Noun: «delegation» (a group of delegates; or the act of delegating). When you delegate, you are still responsible for checking the job.