predominate

1 of 2

adjective

pre·​dom·​i·​nate pri-ˈdä-mə-nət How to pronounce predominate (audio)

predominate

2 of 2

verb

pre·​dom·​i·​nate pri-ˈdä-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce predominate (audio)
predominated; predominating; predominates

intransitive verb

1
: to hold advantage in numbers or quantity
2
: to exert controlling power or influence : prevail

transitive verb

: to exert control over : dominate
predomination noun

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Predominant vs. Predominate

Predominant and predominate are synonymous adjectives. Predominant is the older and much more common form. A number of handbooks and commentators hold predominate to be a mistake—a few insisting that the word is only a verb. But they are wrong. As an adjective predominate is somewhat more likely to turn up in technical writing than in general writing. The adverbs predominantly and predominately are a more even match in frequency than their base adjectives are, although predominantly is still significantly more common than predominately.

Examples of predominate in a Sentence

Adjective the predominate color in the painting the predominate reason for the change Verb Older people predominate in that neighborhood.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The Riverbanks Zoo's study documented that three-fourth of the animals at the zoo exhibited some behavioral response to the 2017 eclipse with the predominate response being to mimic nighttime behaviors. Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024 Looking for an explanation for why warblers are more likely to be found in parks where trees are located than on streets where buildings predominate? Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023 See all Example Sentences for predominate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'predominate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

alteration of predominant

Verb

Medieval Latin praedominatus, past participle of praedominari

First Known Use

Adjective

1591, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of predominate was in 1589

Dictionary Entries Near predominate

Cite this Entry

“Predominate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predominate. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

predominate

verb
pre·​dom·​i·​nate
pri-ˈdäm-ə-ˌnāt
1
: to be predominant : prevail
2
: to go beyond others in number or quantity
cottages predominated
predomination
-ˌdäm-ə-ˈnā-shən
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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