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

Example Sentences

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

Believed to be distant descendants of Arab and Persian traders, the Hui have been well assimilated into broader Chinese society dominated by the ethnic Han majority. —Nectar Gan, CNN, 30 May 2023

In a pattern that has dominated for weeks, a low-pressure trough will send moisture ashore, creating clouds that will flow far inland. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2023

Russell and her husband both grew up Southern Baptist, a conservative, evangelical Protestant denomination that dominates this area of the Bible Belt. —Linda K. Wertheimer, The New Republic, 30 May 2023

Pikulthong enters the Golfweek record book after his dominating victory becoming the first player to four-peat. —Beth Ann Nichols And Todd Kelly, The Arizona Republic, 29 May 2023

Part of Birdhers mission is to provide a safe space for people of color and those in the LGBTQ community in an activity that has historically been dominated by older, white people. —Austindedios, oregonlive, 28 May 2023

Erdoğan had trailed in opinion polls after a campaign dominated by the fallout from the devastating earthquake this year and the country’s economic turmoil. —Neyran Elden, NBC News, 28 May 2023

It’s got brand recognition with a generation that has come to dominate New York theater houses. —Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 May 2023

After Slipp-Nott’s creation in the late ’80s, Julian dominated the court-traction market in the N.B.A. That changed in 2011 with the introduction of Court Grip, a bottled liquid product developed by Mission Athletecare that users could rub on the bottoms of their shoes. —Kris Rhim, New York Times, 27 May 2023

See More

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