dominant

¹dom·i·nant

adj \-nənt\

Definition of DOMINANT

1

a : commanding, controlling, or prevailing over all others <the dominant culture> b : very important, powerful, or successful <a dominant theme> <a dominant industry>

2

: overlooking and commanding from a superior position <a dominant hill>

3

: of, relating to, or exerting ecological or genetic dominance

4

: being the one of a pair of bodily structures that is the more effective or predominant in action <dominant eye>

— dom·i·nant·ly adverb

Examples of DOMINANT

1. The company is now dominant in its market.
2. It is the dominant culture in the region.
3. the dominant female of the pack

Origin of DOMINANT

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin dominant-, dominans, present participle of dominari

First Known Use: circa 1532

Related to DOMINANT

Synonyms: arch, big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, foremost, first, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, leading, main, master, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, paramount, predominant, preeminent, premier, primal, primary, principal, prior, sovereign (also sovran), supreme

Antonyms: last, least

Related Words: distinguished, eminent, illustrious, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, prestigious, signal, star, stellar, superior; high-level, senior, top; important, influential, major, mighty, momentous, significant; incomparable, matchless, unequaled (or unequalled), unparalleled, unsurpassed; celebrated, famed, famous, renowned

Near Antonyms: inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant; collateral, inferior, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary

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Synonym Discussion of DOMINANT

dominant, predominant, paramount, preponderant mean superior to all others in influence or importance. dominant applies to something that is uppermost because ruling or controlling <a dominant social class>. predominant applies to something that exerts, often temporarily, the most marked influence <a predominant emotion>. paramount implies supremacy in importance, rank, or jurisdiction <unemployment was the paramount issue in the campaign>. preponderant applies to an element or factor that outweighs all others in influence or effect <preponderant evidence in her favor>.

Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity