subordination
Americannoun
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the act of placing in a lower rank or position.
The refusal to allow women to be educated was part of society's subordination of women to men.
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the act of subordinating, or of making dependent, secondary, or subservient.
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the condition of being subordinated, or made dependent, secondary, or subservient.
Other Word Forms
- nonsubordination noun
- presubordination noun
- self-subordination noun
Etymology
Origin of subordination
First recorded in 1425–75; from Late Latin subordination-, stem of subordinatio, equivalent to Medieval Latin subōrdināt(us), past participle of subōrdināre subordinate ( def. ) + -iō -ion ( def. )
Explanation
Subordination means lowering. In animal packs, gestures of subordination include staying low and making gestures of play. In the military, one shows subordination by saluting first. You are more likely to be familiar with the opposite of subordination, insubordination. In the military, acts of insubordination means refusing to follow your superior and is a punishable crime. The 1920s finalized the subordination of investigations into ESP and the like. They were discredited and stopped being investigated by mainstream scientists.
Vocabulary lists containing subordination
The Federalist Papers, No. 9 by Alexander Hamilton
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Second Treatise of Government
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More Than a Dream
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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.
"We swear absolute loyalty and subordination," said Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, who presented Rodriguez with the ceremonial baton and sword of independence hero Simon Bolivar.
From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026
When a securitized bond is backed by B-rated loans but structured as AAA through subordination and over-collateralization, Morningstar shows the underlying loan quality.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 7, 2025
When sophisticated creditors start demanding unanimous consent on subordination, it’s a signal that confidence in collateral integrity is faltering.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 27, 2025
"Coordination yes, subordination no," she said, summarising her vision of relations with the US back in March.
From BBC • May 31, 2024
Those taught the lessons of subordination are oft timid in the school of self-service.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
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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.