dominance

noun dom·i·nance \ ˈdä-mə-nən(t)s , ˈdäm-nən(t)s \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of dominance

1 : the fact or state of being dominant: such as

a sociology : controlling, prevailing, or powerful position especially in a social hierarchy (see hierarchy 4)

male dominance

political dominance

companies competing for dominance in the market

dominance over their rivals

b genetics : the property of one of a pair of alleles or traits that suppresses expression (see expression 1b(4)) of the other in the heterozygous condition

c ecology : the influence or control over ecological communities exerted by a dominant (see ²dominant 2b)

2 biology : functional (see functional 1b) asymmetry between a pair of bodily structures (such as the right and left hands)

right brain dominance

See dominance defined for kids

Examples of dominance in a Sentence

although Napoléon had achieved dominance over the European continent, Great Britain still ruled the waves
the professor's dominance in the field of ancient Greek history

Recent Examples of dominance from the Web

The pact, which was conceived as a counterweight to China’s economic dominance in the region, had been negotiated under the Obama administration but never approved by Congress.

— Bloomberg.com, "Trump Weighs Rejoining TPP, Tones Down China Trade Threat," 13 Apr. 2018
He's also embedded the Communist Party more deeply into society — including within businesses — and sought to promote China's dominance in high-tech sectors such as artificial intelligence and robotics.

— jessica meyers, latimes.com, "Amid Trump's threats, Xi pledges to slash tariffs, open China's markets," 10 Apr. 2018
Bowing to the president’s demands could be seen internally as weakness, and the changes that the administration wants — reducing China’s dominance in cutting-edge manufacturing and technology — is not something Beijing is likely to agree to.

— ana swanson and keith bradsher, New York Times, "Trump Doubles Down on Potential Trade War With China," 5 Apr. 2018
As part of a national strategy, China is challenging Nvidia's dominance in chips used for artificial intelligence.

— tom simonite, WIRED, "Ex-Google Executive Opens a School for AI, With China's Help," 5 Apr. 2018
My own sense is that women’s rights threaten male dominance in a way that gay rights may not.

— linda gordon, The New Republic, "How birth-control leaders found allies in American religious groups," 5 Apr. 2018
Apple and Spotify are in a bitter battle over dominance in the streaming music market.

— don reisinger, Fortune, "Apple Music Reportedly Trounced Spotify on The Weeknd's 'My Dear Melancholy'," 3 Apr. 2018
While many are quick criticize tech's dominance in everyday life, this is certainly one example of tech working to make a more inclusive, better world for everyone in it.

— Southern Living, "The Latest Google Maps Update Will Make Travel Easier for Millions Around the World," 23 Mar. 2018
Allegri has continued Juve's domestic dominance in Italy since taking over from Conte in Turin in 2014 and has led the club to two Champions League finals in the last three seasons.

— SI.com, "Chelsea Set to Beat PSG to Agreement for Former Barca Coach as French Champions Eye Allegri," 23 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dominance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.