de·mote \də̇, dē+ˈmōt, usu -ōd.+V\transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology:de- + -mote (as in promote) : to reduce to a lower grade or rank < demote a pupil > < a soldier demoted from sergeant to corporal > : relegate to a subordinate or less important position — opposed to promote • de·mo·tion\-ōshən\noun-s