noun
legation
lih-GAY-shun/lɪˈɡeɪʃn/
A diplomatic representation ranked below an embassy.
The minister receives foreign officials at the legation each morning.
Etymology
From sending someone as a deputy, legation named an envoy’s mission or office. It also came to mean the body of representatives sent, connecting the act of delegation with an organized diplomatic mission.
In context
and they used to have a Texas legation here which was like an embassy
phoned the legation and insisted on talking with an American diplomat.
More examples
- The two countries agree to raise their legations to embassies.
- A small staff handles diplomatic business at the legation.
- She studies letters sent by the legation during the negotiations.
Forms
legation · legations