Devolved Meaning in English

word · lemma: devolve

US

UK

Definition

When power, responsibility, or duties have been passed or handed over from one authority or person to another, often used in government or organizations.

Usage & Nuances

Mostly formal, used in political, legal, or organizational contexts. Common phrases: 'devolved powers,' 'devolved responsibilities.' Can also mean something descended or deteriorated, but this is less common. Distinct from 'delegated' (temporary), 'devolved' is more permanent.

• Spanish: delegado - transferido (responsabilidad/poder)
• Portuguese (BR): delegado - transferido (responsabilidade/poder)
• Portuguese (PT): delegado - transferido (responsabilidade/poder)
• Chinese (Simplified): 下放 - 移交（责任/权力）
• Chinese (Traditional): 下放 - 移交（責任/權力）
• Hindi: सोप दी गई - स्थानांतरित (जिम्मेदारी/सत्ता)
• Arabic: مفوّض - مُحوّل (مسؤولية/سلطة)
• Bengali: অর্পিত হয়েছে - স্থানান্তরিত হয়েছে
• Russian: передан - делегирован (постоянно)
• Japanese: 委譲された - 移管された
• Vietnamese: được chuyển giao - được phân quyền
• Korean: 이양되다 - 넘겨지다
• Turkish: devredildi - aktarılmış
• Urdu: منتقل ہونا - حوالہ کیا جانا
• Indonesian: didelegasikan secara permanen - dialihkan

Example Sentences

The government devolved power to the local councils.

basic

Some responsibilities were devolved to the department heads.

basic

Education decisions have devolved to local schools.

basic

Control over budgets has devolved pretty quickly in recent years.

natural

Over time, much of the decision-making has devolved from central offices to smaller teams.

natural

What started as a national project has devolved into a series of local initiatives.

natural