predominate

[ pri-dom-uh-neyt ]

verb (used without object)

, pre·dom·i·nat·ed, pre·dom·i·nat·ing.

1. to be the stronger or leading element or force.
2. to have numerical superiority or advantage:

   The radicals predominate in the new legislature.

3. to surpass others in authority or influence; be preeminent:

   He predominated in the political scene.

4. to have or exert controlling power (often followed by over ):

   Good sense predominated over the impulse to fight.

   Synonyms: dominate, overrule

5. to appear more noticeable or imposing than something else:

   Blues and greens predominated in the painting.

verb (used with object)

, pre·dom·i·nat·ed, pre·dom·i·nat·ing.

1. to dominate or prevail over.

predominate

/ prɪˈdɒmɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. introften foll byover to have power, influence, or control
2. intr to prevail or preponderate
3. rare.
   tr to dominate or have control over

adjective

1. another word for predominant

Derived Forms

• preˈdominately, adverb
• preˌdomiˈnation, noun
• preˈdomiˌnator, noun

Other Words From

• pre·dom·i·nate·ly [pri-, dom, -, uh, -nit-lee], adverb
• pre·domi·nating·ly adverb
• pre·domi·nation noun
• pre·domi·nator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of predominate¹

1585–95; < Medieval Latin praedominātus, past participle of praedominārī to predominate. See pre-, dominate

Word History and Origins

Origin of predominate¹

C16: from Medieval Latin praedominārī, from Latin prae before + dominārī to bear rule, domineer

Example Sentences

The network effect has made RealPage the dominant player in the market at large, and especially so in cities and neighborhoods where big landlords predominate.

From Slate

And it later limited racial gerrymandering by holding that race may not “predominate” map-drawing.

From Slate

In the Black Church as a whole, male pastors predominate, though there’s no comprehensive gender breakdown.

From Seattle Times

Many acts perform in their national languages and some draw on folk traditions and instruments, though slick production and electro beats still predominate.

From Seattle Times

The predominate fat is saturated.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• hold sway