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.
Success continues to dominate the headlines for them, but the Bruins show no signs of complacency.
From Los Angeles Times
On the days French music was played, French wine sales dominated, on German music days the German wine sold far better.
From BBC
But several other Magnificent Seven leaders that also dominate the S&P 500 are conspicuously absent from the fund.
From Barron's
An unusual and persistent mix of cold and wet conditions has dominated the month.
From BBC
By the 1980s, polymer paint on canvas was the norm for independent works of art, and female artists, who now dominate the field, entered once exclusively male territory.
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.