Demotion means being moved to a lower position or rank, usually at work or in an organization. When someone gets demoted, they lose responsibilities, authority, or status they previously had. A manager might be demoted to a regular employee, or a team captain might be demoted to a regular team member.

Demotion often happens because someone isn't performing well in their current role, breaks important rules, or makes serious mistakes. A store manager who consistently misses sales targets might face demotion to assistant manager. Unlike being fired, where you lose your job completely, demotion means you still have a position, just a less important one.

The word carries a feeling of disappointment and loss. Getting demoted can be embarrassing and difficult because it's a public signal that things didn't work out. Your salary might decrease, and you might have to report to people who used to report to you. In the military, an officer can be demoted to a lower rank as punishment for misconduct.

The opposite of demotion is promotion, when you move up to a better position. While everyone hopes for promotions, the possibility of demotion reminds people that keeping a position requires continued good work and responsible behavior.