deputation
/dɛpjʊˈteɪʃ(ə)n
/noun
A group of people appointed to undertake a mission or take part in a formal process on behalf of a larger group: he had been a member of a deputation to Napoleon III...
- But it still left many advocacy groups annoyed at the limited time they had for deputations - or formal presentations to councillors - and concerned that their opinions had little effect on the final outcome.
- She proposed that a deputation from the council should meet with the Minister for Education to stress the importance of the need for new schools in the town.
- If people wanted something done, they went in a deputation to the minister, escorted by their local member.
Synonyms
delegation, delegacy, legation, commission, committee, (diplomatic) mission;
contingent, group, party, body, band, set;
delegates, representatives, envoys, emissaries, legates
historical embassy
archaic embassage
Origin
Late Middle English (in the sense 'appointment to an office or function'): from late Latin deputatio(n-), from the verb deputare (see depute).