hegemony

American  

[hi-jem-uh-nee, hej-uh-moh-nee] / hɪˈdʒɛm ə ni, ˈhɛdʒ əˌmoʊ ni /

noun

• hegemonies
  plural

1. leadership or predominant influence exercised by one nation over others, as in a confederation.

2. leadership; predominance.

3. (especially among smaller nations) aggression or expansionism by large nations in an effort to achieve world domination.

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hegemony British  

/ hɪˈɡɛmənɪ, ˌhɛɡəˈmɒnɪk /

noun

1. ascendancy or domination of one power or state within a league, confederation, etc, or of one social class over others

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antihegemony
  noun
• hegemonic
  adjective
• hegemonical
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• hegemonies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of hegemony

First recorded in 1560–70; from Greek hēgemonía “leadership, supremacy,” equivalent to hēgemon- (stem of hēgemṓn ) “leader” + -ia -y ³

Explanation

Hegemony is political or cultural dominance or authority over others. The hegemony of the popular kids over the other students means that they determine what is and is not cool. Hegemony comes from the Greek hegemon "leader." Wealthy lender nations hoping to determine political outcomes and trade decisions have established hegemony over the debtor nations they lend to. As well as the dominance of one group or nation over others, hegemony is also the term for the leading group or nation itself. During the American Revolution, colonists fought to throw off the British hegemony.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hegemony hegemonies

Much of the narrative surrounding the dollar last year focused on predictions of de-dollarization, an end to its hegemony in currency markets and the expectations of central banks’ reserves diversification.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 19, 2026

Every few years, some geopolitical friction sends commentators racing to declare the end of dollar hegemony and the collapse of the petrodollar.

From Barron's ● May 27, 2026

The U.K. grudgingly passed the mantle of Middle East hegemony to the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 26, 2026

Gorsuch, Neil M. T. “Overcoming a hegemony of ideas,” Columbia Spectator, Feb. 25, 1987.

From Slate ● May 13, 2026

They were convinced that he was continuing to grow as a player, and that unless something were done quickly, he’d smash the Soviets’ hegemony.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

I am not among the man’s harshest critics, in part because I believe that all tech-company hegemonies are destined to decline, sooner or later.

From Time ● Aug. 23, 2013

But these days I encounter more and more Americans who’ve unshackled themselves from outdated cultural hegemonies.

From Slate ● Jun. 26, 2013

There would be no more talk of honour and annexations, hegemonies and trade routes, but only Europe lamenting for her dead....

From Mr. Britling Sees It Through by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

The varying confederacies and hegemonies are the nearest approach to anything of the kind.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 3 "Gordon, Lord George" to "Grasses" by Various

When Wessex and Mercia have worked their way to the rival hegemonies," says Canon Stubbs, "Sussex and Essex do not cease to be numbered among the kingdoms, until their royal houses are extinct.

From Early Britain Anglo-Saxon Britain by Allen, Grant