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.
Even with these advanced features, chelicerates did not immediately dominate marine ecosystems.
From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026
And he has not been afraid to take on the pro-Orban new outlets that dominate Hungary's media landscape.
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
It will have to work even harder to maintain that dominate position over the next 50 years.
From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026
Streamers continue to dominate the digital distribution market with rising monthly subscription fees , more consumers choosing subscriptions with ads, and platforms expanding their global reach.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026
These individuals will be more likely to survive and reproduce and so their pattern of behavior and thought will come to dominate.
From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking
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.
