verb (used with object), de·cen·tral·ized, de·cen·tral·iz·ing. to distribute the administrative powers or functions of (a central authority) over a less concentrated area: to decentralize the national government. to disperse (something) from an area of concentration: to decentralize the nation's industry.

What is the meaning of word decentralized?

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.

What is the root of decentralization?

"act or principle of removing local or special functions of government from immediate control of central authority," 1839, from de- + centralization. Decentralisation is attested by 1835 in German, in reference to France, but the word does not seem to appear in French before the earliest English dates.