hegemony

noun

he·​ge·​mo·​ny hi-ˈje-mə-nē  -ˈge- 

ˈhe-jə-ˌmō-nē

1

: preponderant influence or authority over others : domination

battled for hegemony in Asia

2

: the social, cultural, ideological, or economic influence exerted by a dominant group

hegemonic

ˌhe-jə-ˈmä-nik 

ˌhe-gə-

adjective

Did you know?

Hegemony refers to a kind of domination. It was borrowed in the mid-16th century from the Greek word hēgemonia, a noun formed from the verb hēgeisthai, “to lead.” At first hegemony was used specifically to refer to the control once wielded by ancient Greek states; later it was applied to domination by other political actors. By the 19th century, the word had acquired a second sense referring to the social or cultural influence wielded by a dominant entity over others of its kind, a sense employed by design scholar Joshua Langman when describing the use of found objects by French artist Marcel Duchamp (he of notorious readymade Fountain fame) as a means “to question and criticize the values of the artistic hegemony by eschewing craft entirely.”

Synonyms

• ascendance
• ascendence
• ascendancy
• ascendency
• dominance
• domination
• dominion
• imperium
• predominance
• predominancy
• preeminence
• reign
• sovereignty
• sovranty
• supremacy

Examples of hegemony in a Sentence

… the very concept of "scientific truth" can only represent a social construction invented by scientists (whether consciously or not) as a device to justify their hegemony over the study of nature. —Stephen Jay Gould, Science, 14 Jan. 2000

When Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union, in June of 1941, distracted Japan's traditional rival for hegemony in East Asia, Japanese expansionists saw a historic opportunity. —David M. Kennedy, Atlantic, March 1999

If mermaids had ceased to challenge scientific hegemony, other similarly mythological creatures rushed in to fill their places in Victorian hearts and minds. —Harriet Ritvo, The Platypus and the Mermaid, 1997

They discussed the national government's hegemony over their tribal community.

European intellectuals have long debated the consequences of the hegemony of American popular culture around the world.

Recent Examples on the Web

European, Asian and Latin American allies of the United States are already in talks to create trade lines less subject to the volatility of American hegemony. —Talmon Joseph Smith, New York Times, 2 May 2025

This would mark another step away from American hegemony and toward a world with various spheres of influence. —Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025

American hegemony could continue for another century or two; what is clear is that the current moment is critical and pivotal for the superpower. —Steven Desmyter, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

So, is democracy on the ropes in the aftermath of post-Cold War American hegemony? —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 1 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek hēgemonia, from hēgemōn leader, from hēgeisthai to lead — more at seek

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hegemony

• anemone

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