dominate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to tower above; overlook; overshadow.
A tall pine dominated the landscape.
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to predominate, permeate, or characterize.
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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.
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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)
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to rule; exercise control; predominate.
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to occupy a commanding or elevated position.
verb
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to control, rule, or govern (someone or something)
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to tower above (surroundings, etc); overlook
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(tr; usually passive) to predominate in (something or someone)
Other Word Forms
- dominating adjective
- dominatingly adverb
- dominative adjective
- dominator noun
- nondominating adjective
- overdominate verb (used with object)
- redominate verb
- undominated adjective
- well-dominated adjective
Etymology
Origin of dominate
First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin dominātus, past participle of dominārī “to master, control,” from domin(us) “lord, master” + -ārī, infinitive verb suffix
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Many U.S. investors aren’t aware of non-U.S. stocks’ impressive 2025 performance because the financial headlines in the U.S. have been dominated by news about the “Magnificent Seven” stocks and the AI trade.
From MarketWatch
With the same period also marking the opening of Anglesey Aluminium in nearby Holyhead, it was a time of industrial upheaval which brought long-term, skilled employment to a Welsh-speaking island long dominated by agriculture.
From BBC
He’s omnipresent, completely dominating coverage, constantly in front of cameras and inundating us with round-the-clock Truth Social posts.
America dominates chips, she said, but China is surging with chatbots.
In an America dominated by quarterly guidance and real‑time dashboards, such a mindset is rare and valuable.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
