Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

subordinating

adjective
sub·​or·​di·​nat·​ing | \ sə-ˈbȯr-də-ˌnā-tiŋ How to pronounce subordinating (audio) \

Definition of subordinating

: introducing and linking a subordinate clause to a main clause subordinating conjunction

First Known Use of subordinating

1849, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about subordinating

Statistics for subordinating

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for subordinating

The first known use of subordinating was in 1849

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on subordinating

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with subordinating

Nglish: Translation of subordinating for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of subordinating for Arabic Speakers

Comments on subordinating

What made you want to look up subordinating? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

gritty

Listen to the pronounciation of gritty

showing courage and determination

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a closeup of a sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games