superordinate

[adjective, noun soo-per-awr-dn-it; verb soo-per-awr-dn-eyt]

adjective

of higher degree in condition or rank.

Logic. (of a universal proposition) related to a particular proposition of the same quality and containing the same terms in the same order.

noun

a superordinate person or thing.

Linguistics. a term that denotes a general class under which a set of subcategories is subsumed: “Child” is the superordinate of “girl” and “boy.”Compare hyponym.

verb (used with object), su·per·or·di·nat·ed, su·per·or·di·nat·ing.

to elevate to superordinate position.

Origin of superordinate

First recorded in 1610–20; super- + (sub)ordinate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for superordinate

“When diverse groups are working toward a superordinate goal, this can lead to adopting a common identity,” she wrote.
Office Parties Are Bad for Business|Jesse Singal|December 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for superordinate

superordinate

adjective (ˌsuːpərˈɔːdɪnɪt)

of higher status or condition

noun (ˌsuːpərˈɔːdɪnɪt)

a person or thing that is superordinate

a word the meaning of which includes the meaning of another word or words``red'' is a superordinate of ``scarlet'', ``vermilion'', and ``crimson'' Compare hyponym, synonym, antonym

verb (ˌsuːpərˈɔːdɪˌneɪt)

(tr) rare to make superordinate

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for superordinate

adj.

1610s, on model of subordinate with super-.