dominion

American  

[duh-min-yuhn] / dəˈmɪn yən /

noun

1. the power or right of governing and controlling; sovereign authority.

2. rule; control; domination.

3. a territory, usually of considerable size, in which a single rulership holds sway.

4. lands or domains subject to sovereignty or control.

5. Government.  a territory constituting a self-governing commonwealth and being one of a number of such territories united in a community of nations, or empire: formerly applied to self-governing divisions of the British Empire, as Canada and New Zealand.

6. Theology.  dominions, domination.

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dominion British  

/ dəˈmɪnjən /

noun

1. rule; authority

2. the land governed by one ruler or government

3. sphere of influence; area of control

4. a name formerly applied to self-governing divisions of the British Empire

5. New Zealand

6. law a less common word for dominium

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Other Word Forms

• interdominion adjective
• self-dominion noun

Etymology

Origin of dominion

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin dominiōn- (unrecorded), stem of dominiō (unrecorded) “lordship,” from Latin domin(ium) dominium + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

As new territories were brought into the empire by alliance or conquest, they were added to the network, facilitating communication, public works and military movements, and providing a potent reminder of Inca dominion.

From The Wall Street Journal

The change was a dramatic departure from the archetype of the all-powerful football coach, whose dominion extended from the playbook to high-school recruiting.

From The Wall Street Journal

The mandate calls on Christians to gain influence, or “take dominion,” over seven key areas of culture: religion, family, education, government, media, business and the arts.

From Salon

It also showed that "there was no point in having a dominion status under the empire when the British cannot be expected to deal with their subjects fairly", adds Pushpa.

From BBC

AB 1506 defines “possession” of a weapon as being “under the civilian’s dominion and control at the time of the shooting.”

From Los Angeles Times