dominate

verb

dom·​i·​nate ˈdä-mə-ˌnāt 

dominated; dominating

transitive verb

1

: rule, control

an empire that dominated the world

2

: to exert the supreme determining or guiding influence on

the ambition that has dominated his life

3

: to overlook from a superior elevation or command because of superior height or position

a hill that dominates the town

4

a

: to be predominant in

sugar maples dominate the forest

b

: to have a commanding or preeminent place or position in

name brands dominate the market

intransitive verb

1

: to have or exert mastery, control, or preeminence

his desire to dominate

a dominating factor in industrial growth

2

: to occupy a more elevated or superior position

dominative

ˈdä-mə-ˌnā-tiv 

adjective

dominator

ˈdä-mə-ˌnā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• conquer
• overpower
• pacify
• subdue
• subject
• subjugate
• subordinate
• vanquish

Examples of dominate in a Sentence

One company has dominated the market for years.

He dominated her life for many years.

His work dominated the art scene last year.

Our team dominated throughout the game.

Our team dominated play throughout the game.

Recent Examples on the Web

Few shows have dominated the pop culture conversation quite like the reality shows on Bravo. —Tim Chan, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024

Today, just a few niche companies dominate the global supply chain for advanced chips. —Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2024

An examination of Hawaii’s contracting system by The New York Times and Honolulu Civil Beat offers a detailed look at the workings of a state known for favoritism and patronage, a culture where big companies with ties to politicians have historically dominated. —Irene Casado Sanchez, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024

Airbnb also saw summer travelers eyeing destinations where the great outdoors dominate. —Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2024

Tensions between the largely Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE on one side and Iran, which is majority Shia, on the other have dominated the Middle East for decades. —Matt Bradley, NBC News, 16 Apr. 2024

Curry, who dominated the last time these teams played a single-elimination game, had just five at the half. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024

There aren’t just two dominating players but a whole spectrum of offerings that seem like a better deal than Apple’s closed devices. —Florence Ion / Gizmodo, Quartz, 16 Apr. 2024

The Highlanders are taking no prisoners this season en route to a 17-1 record and have been dominating City Section opponents. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin dominatus, past participle of dominari, from dominus master; akin to Latin domus house — more at dome

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

dominate

verb

dom·​i·​nate ˈdäm-ə-ˌnāt 

dominated; dominating

1

: to have a commanding position or controlling power over

2

: to seem to command by rising high above

a volcano dominates the island

domination

ˌdäm-ə-ˈnā-shən

noun

dominative

ˈdäm-ə-ˌnāt-iv 

adjective

dominator

-ˌnāt-ər 

noun

Etymology

derived from Latin dominari "to rule, govern, control," from dominus "master, owner" — related to condominium, dame, domain, dominion, don entry 2