DEPUTATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does deputation mean? 

• DEPUTATION (noun)
  The noun DEPUTATION has 2 senses:

1. a group of representatives or delegates

2. authorizing subordinates to make certain decisions

  Familiarity information: DEPUTATION used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DEPUTATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A group of representatives or delegates

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Synonyms:

commission; delegacy; delegation; deputation; mission

Hypernyms ("deputation" is a kind of...):

organisation; organization (a group of people who work together)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "deputation"):

diplomatic mission (a mission serving diplomatic ends)

embassy (an ambassador and his entourage collectively)

Derivation:

depute (give an assignment to (a person) to a post, or assign a task to (a person))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Authorizing subordinates to make certain decisions

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

delegating; delegation; deputation; relegating; relegation

Hypernyms ("deputation" is a kind of...):

authorisation; authorization; empowerment (the act of conferring legality or sanction or formal warrant)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "deputation"):

devolution; devolvement (the delegation of authority (especially from a central to a regional government))

Derivation:

depute (give an assignment to (a person) to a post, or assign a task to (a person))

depute (appoint as a substitute)

depute (transfer power to someone)

 Context examples 

He told me that he and his companions had been chosen by the other sailors to come in deputation to me to make me a requisition which, in justice, I could not refuse.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Mr Shepherd hastened to assure him, that Admiral Croft was a very hale, hearty, well-looking man, a little weather-beaten, to be sure, but not much, and quite the gentleman in all his notions and behaviour; not likely to make the smallest difficulty about terms, only wanted a comfortable home, and to get into it as soon as possible; knew he must pay for his convenience; knew what rent a ready-furnished house of that consequence might fetch; should not have been surprised if Sir Walter had asked more; had inquired about the manor; would be glad of the deputation, certainly, but made no great point of it; said he sometimes took out a gun, but never killed; quite the gentleman.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)