dominate

[ dom-uh-neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, dom·i·nat·ed, dom·i·nat·ing.

1. to rule over; govern; control.
2. to tower above; overlook; overshadow:

   A tall pine dominated the landscape.

3. to predominate, permeate, or characterize.
4. Mathematics. (of a series, vector, etc.) to have terms or components greater in absolute value than the corresponding terms or components of a given series, vector, etc.
5. Linguistics. (of a node in a tree diagram) to be connected with (a subordinate node) either directly by a single downward branch or indirectly by a sequence of downward branches.

verb (used without object)

, dom·i·nat·ed, dom·i·nat·ing.

1. to rule; exercise control; predominate.
2. to occupy a commanding or elevated position.

dominate

/ ˈdɒmɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. to control, rule, or govern (someone or something)
2. to tower above (surroundings, etc); overlook
3. tr; usually passive to predominate in (something or someone)

Derived Forms

• ˈdominative, adjective
• ˈdomiˌnating, adjective
• ˈdomiˌnator, noun
• ˈdomiˌnatingly, adverb

Other Words From

• domi·nating·ly adverb
• domi·nator noun
• non·domi·nating adjective
• over·domi·nate verb (used with object) overdominated overdominating
• re·domi·nate verb redominated redominating
• un·domi·nated adjective
• well-domi·nated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dominate¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin dominātus, past participle of dominārī “to master, control,” from domin(us) “lord, master” + -ārī, infinitive verb suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of dominate¹

C17: from Latin dominārī to be lord over, from dominus lord

Example Sentences

“There is a perfect storm of young inexperienced staff with poor vetting and inadequate training being thrown into a dystopian environment," Mr Podmore says, "where violence and organised crime dominate a failing prison system.”

From BBC

England have sometimes struggled to dominate possession against the bigger nations in major tournaments and Jones' performances for Liverpool may be enough for Tuchel to think he's someone who can help get them over the line.

From BBC

"That is where we are legally allowed to be physical and manhandle players, which will hopefully overflow into other moments on the field. When we scrum, we scrum to dominate."

From BBC

Australians now dominate punting in American football.

From BBC

"Gladiator II is equal in scale and spectacle, and weighted with metaphor, but it’s also shot through with the kind of wry, absurdist slant that’s come to dominate Scott’s work of the last decade and a half," wrote Clarisse Loughrey.

From BBC

Related Words

• command
• control
• dictate
• influence
• lead
• manage
• monopolize
• overshadow
• prevail
• run