predominance

American  

[pri-dom-uh-nuhns] / prɪˈdɒm ə nəns /

Sometimes predominancy

noun

1. the state, condition, or quality of being predominant.

   the predominance of rich people over poor people.

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Etymology

Origin of predominance

First recorded in 1595–1605; predomin(ant) + -ance

Explanation

Use the noun predominance to describe whatever is most noticeable, like the predominance of a gigantic television screen in a small living room. When you notice that the word dominance makes up a big chunk of predominance, it won’t surprise you to learn that predominance is used to say that something exerts a strong influence and dominates. Sometimes that influence comes because of sheer numbers, such as a predominance of women in the teaching profession, but it can also result from superior power, such as a nation’s military predominance.

Example Sentences

“It’s the predominance of this fear that they’ve heard in the media — and that’s largely abated — that a Democrat won’t make it to the runoff,” Mitchell said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026

After all, because of the predominance of farming across Europe, the likely alternative long-term was extinction.

From Science Daily • May 30, 2026

While English has often appeared in K-pop songs as breakout phrases or in choruses, the predominance of English in “Arirang” created challenges for the group who think and express themselves more naturally in Korean.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

“The data shows the predominance of short-term and concentrated funding, exposing banks to roll-over and redemption risks if these funding channels were to dry up.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

The predominance of these three chords was no passing fad.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• preponderance