delegation
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
A delegation is a group sent to represent a larger body — the key idea is being chosen or elected for a representative role, usually at a meeting or event. A committee is a more permanent group formed within an organisation to handle specific ongoing work; committees do not necessarily 'go' anywhere. A mission is a delegation with a specific task or purpose, often diplomatic or exploratory, and carries a sense of being sent abroad. A contingent is a group drawn from a larger gathering, emphasising shared origin rather than active representation — for example, 'the Canadian contingent at the festival'. A caucus is a smaller group within a political party that meets to decide policy; unlike a delegation, a caucus is not primarily about representing outsiders. In practice: 'the Japanese delegation signed the agreement' (representatives), 'the finance committee meets every Tuesday' (standing group), 'a peace mission travelled to the region' (task-focused), 'the Australian contingent marched in the parade' (origin group), 'the party caucus voted on the new policy' (internal political group).
Common collocations
Etymology
Comes from the Latin word 'delegare', meaning 'to send as a representative'. It is formed from 'de-' (away, from) and 'legare' (to send with a commission). Entered English through French in the 15th century, originally referring only to the act of sending representatives. By the 18th century it was also used for the group of people sent. The modern business meaning — assigning tasks to others — developed in the 20th century from the same core idea of sending authority to another person.