relegation

[ rel-i-gey-shuhn ]

noun

1. assignment or banishment to an inferior position, place, rank, or condition:

   Many factors are responsible for the relegation of disabled people to the margins of society.

   The pending legislation shows the relegation of environmental concerns toward the bottom of the priority list in energy politics.

2. Soccer. demotion to a lower playing league or division based on a team’s record:

   The European leagues are a meritocratic hierarchy connected by promotion and relegation.

Word History and Origins

Origin of relegation¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin relēgātiōn-, stem of relēgātiō “a sending away, banishment”; relegate ( def ), -ion ( def )

Example Sentences

Furthermore, while third place might do little to aid their World Cup ambitions, it would put Scotland into a Nations League relegation play-off in the spring and give them a chance of preserving League A status.

From BBC

Minutes after the final whistle, Forest’s social media account pointed an accusing finger at VAR Stuart Attwell, who they claimed was a fan of Luton Town, who were also in relegation trouble at the time.

From BBC

He could barely contain his excitement when Liam Delap bundled in Ipswich's second goal, and this time the Tractor Boys held on to climb out of the relegation zone.

From BBC

After failing to earn a swift return to the Premier League following relegation in 2002, Ipswich reached the Championship play-offs just once after 2005 and were relegated to League One in 2019.

From BBC

His departure in the wake of Wednesday's defeat by Derby County comes after just four wins in 14 Championship games this season that leaves the Sky Blues 17th in the table and equal on points with Plymouth in the relegation spots.

From BBC

Related Words

• banishment
• discharge
• displacement
• ejection
• eviction
• exclusion
• ouster
• purge
• removal
• suspension