dominion

American  

[duh-min-yuhn] / dəˈmɪn jən /

noun

• dominions
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• self-dominion
  noun
• interdominion
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• dominions
  plural

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

See Examples For:

dominion dominions

Iran agreed to reopen the vital thoroughfare during the two-week truce, but said it would maintain "dominion" over it.

From Barron's ● Apr. 9, 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

As new territories were brought into the empire by alliance or conquest, they were added to the network, facilitating communication, public works and military movements, and providing a potent reminder of Inca dominion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2025

It also showed that "there was no point in having a dominion status under the empire when the British cannot be expected to deal with their subjects fairly", adds Pushpa.

From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2025

And since you are neither able to make them happy nor to wipe them out, you lose that dominion whenever the opportunity arises.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli

Prince Baltasar Carlos, Philip’s only son and likely heir to all the king’s dominions, had died at 16, apparently a smallpox victim.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 17, 2024

Australia has no treaty with its Indigenous people, and has done little in comparison to other British dominions like Canada, New Zealand and the United States to include and uplift its First Nations people.

From Reuters ● Jun. 23, 2023

Throughout the 1950s, more countries hauled down the union flag and the former colonies and dominions now came together as a voluntary family of nations.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2022

“This is a very old strategy on the part of the royal household to cement its hold over the dominions, to make the charismatic presence of the crown visible,” he said.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 25, 2022

Such barons as these have their own dominions and subjects, who recognize them as masters and have natural affection for them.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli