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

Explanation

When you are in charge of something or rule it, you have dominion over it. The most famous use of the word occurs in the Christian Bible, when God grants people dominion over other animals. If you know the word domination, then you won't be surprised that dominion also has to do with a type of ruling over others. This is an old-fashioned and Biblical-sounding word for having power. A king has dominion over his kingdom. You'd never say the President has dominion, because we live in a democracy. Dominion implies more power than that — even absolute power. A dominion can also be an area or territory controlled by a larger country or state.

Example Sentences

The Commodity Exchange Act grants regulatory dominion over event contracts sold on prediction markets to the U.S.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

So it’s not just religion qua religion, or religion and law; it’s really bolted onto ideas of capitalism and the economy and dominion of the world.

From Slate • Mar. 10, 2026

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 • Oct. 10, 2025

If another male approaches, the presiding reptile will do “push-ups” to assert dominion over its realm.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2025

For the little fierce loyal creature too was gone, the little silent soul that once had led him back from death’s dominion.

From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin