decentralized

UK: ˌdiːˈsɛntrəlaɪzd | US: ˌdiːˈsɛntrəlaɪzd

Definition

  1. adj. (of an organization or system) distributed away from a central authority or location

  2. vt. past tense: transferred control or functions from a central authority to local or regional units

Structure
de <remove>central <center>ized <made into>
Etymology

The word "decentralized" combines three morphemes:

  1. "de-" (Latin origin, meaning "remove" or "reverse"), negating the centralization.
  2. "central" (from Latin "centralis," derived from "centrum" meaning "center"), referring to a core point of control.
  3. "-ized" (verb-forming suffix from Greek "-izein," later Latin "-izare," meaning "to make into").
    The term emerged in the 19th century, reflecting shifts in governance and technology, where power or data is deliberately dispersed away from a single hub.
Examples

  1. The company decentralized its operations to empower regional branches.

  2. Blockchain technology relies on a decentralized network of nodes.

  3. Many governments have decentralized healthcare systems to improve local access.

  4. The decentralized approach reduced bottlenecks in decision-making.

  5. Critics argue that decentralized systems can lack coordination.