Noun: devolution ,de-vu'loo-shun or ,dee-vu'loo-shun
- (government) the delegation of authority (especially from a central to a regional government)
"The devolution of power to local councils increased community engagement";
- devolvement
- The process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power, vitality or essential quality
"The devolution of the old political system led to calls for reform";
- degeneration
Derived forms: devolutions
Type of: delegating, delegation, deputation, physical process, process
Antonym: evolution
Encyclopedia: Devolution