centralization
Americannoun
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the act or fact of centralizing; fact of being centralized.
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the concentration of administrative power in a central government, authority, etc.
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Chiefly Sociology.
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a process whereby social groups and institutions become increasingly dependent on a central group or institution.
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concentration of control or power in a few individuals.
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Other Word Forms
- anticentralization adjective
- overcentralization noun
- procentralization adjective
- recentralization noun
Etymology
Origin of centralization
First recorded in 1795–1805; centralize + -ation
Explanation
Centralization means bringing things to one central place or under unified control. The centralization of a school district might mean the superintendent makes important decisions for all the schools, rather than leaving those choices to individual principals. Centralization can refer to the consolidation of operations, like the centralization of a company's distribution, so that all the products they make are shipped out from one central warehouse. However, it often refers to the consolidation of power or control. When centralization occurs in a government, it means a small group increasingly controls everything; the disadvantage to extreme centralization is that there aren't enough checks and balances to that power.
Vocabulary lists containing centralization
U.S. Government - Middle School and High School
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Chinese History - Middle School and High School
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Content Summary 3.3: Postclassical States in East Asia
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Despite benefiting significantly from European integration, he also cautioned against deeper centralization within the European Union, arguing that national policymakers must retain the ability to respond to local conditions.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026
Previously known as Clear Channel Communications, the company has experienced the dark side of automation and programming centralization.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025
“At the end of the day, it’s centralization, not technology, that affects wealth and equality,” he explained.
From Salon • Feb. 18, 2025
Extreme centralization also hasn’t helped Mexico much in the past in many areas.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 29, 2023
The regional variation in pottery styles suggests little progress toward political centralization and unification.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
