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View synonyms for

dominant

[dom-uh-nuhnt]

adjective

  1. ruling, governing, or controlling; having or exerting authority or influence.

    dominant in the chain of command.

    Synonyms: ,
  2. occupying or being in a commanding or elevated position.

  3. predominant; main; major; chief.

    Corn is the dominant crop of Iowa.

  4. Genetics.of or relating to a dominant.

  5. Music.pertaining to or based on the dominant.

    the dominant chord.



noun

  1. Genetics.

    1. the one of a pair of alternative alleles that masks the effect of the other when both are present in the same cell or organism.

    2. the trait or character determined by such an allele.

  2. Informal, dom.the participant in a BDSM sexual encounter or relationship to whom power and control are transferred.

  3. Music.the fifth tone of a diatonic scale.

  4. Ecology.any of one or more types of plants, or sometimes animals, that by virtue of abundance, size, or habits exert so important an influence on the conditions of an area as to determine, to a great extent, what other organisms can live there.

dominant

/ ˈɒɪəԳ /

adjective

  1. having primary control, authority, or influence; governing; ruling

  2. predominant or primary

    the dominant topic of the day

  3. occupying a commanding position

  4. genetics Compare recessive

    1. (of an allele) producing the same phenotype in the organism irrespective of whether the allele of the same gene is identical or dissimilar

    2. (of a character) controlled by such a gene

  5. music of or relating to the fifth degree of a scale

  6. ecology (of a plant or animal species within a community) more prevalent than any other species and determining the appearance and composition of the community

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. genetics

    1. a dominant allele or character

    2. an organism having such an allele or character

  2. music

    1. the fifth degree of a scale and the second in importance after the tonic

    2. a key or chord based on this

  3. ecology a dominant plant or animal in a community

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

dominant

  1. Relating to the form of a gene that expresses a trait, such as hair color, in an individual organism. The dominant form of a gene overpowers the counterpart, or recessive, form located on the other of a pair of chromosomes.

  2. Relating to the trait expressed by such a gene.

  3. See more at inheritance Compare recessive

  4. Being a species that has the greatest effect within its ecological community, especially by determining the presence, abundance, or type of other species. As a plant community progresses through stages of succession, different species may become dominant for a period until the climax community is reached, at which point the dominant species remains stable until a major disruption occurs. Among animals, the dominant species in a community is generally the top predator or the most abundant or widespread species.

  5. Being an animal that occupies the highest position in a social hierarchy and has the greatest access to resources such as food and a mate or mates. Social dominance is gained and maintained through factors such as size and aggressiveness.

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Other Word Forms

  • dominantly adverb
  • nondominant adjective
  • ˈdzԲԳٱ adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dominant1

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin dominant- (stem of dzԲ, present participle of dzī “to be lord and master, domineer”; dominate ), equivalent to domin(us) “master, possessor, ruler” + -ant- -ant
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Synonym Study

Dominant, predominant, paramount, preeminent describe something outstanding. Dominant describes something that is most influential or important: the dominant characteristics of monkeys. Predominant describes something that is dominant over all others, or is more widely prevalent: Curiosity is the predominant characteristic of monkeys. Paramount applies to something that is first in rank or order: Safety is of paramount importance. Preeminent applies to a prominence based on recognition of excellence: His work was of preeminent quality.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Russell, who will now tour Australia with the British and Irish Lions, has been a key figure in a dominant season for Bath.

From

As it stands, variant trackers expect either Nimbus or another variant called XFG to be the dominant strain this time around.

From

It follows weeks of rows between Welsh and Westminster Labour, as concerns grew over the next Senedd election as polling suggested the party could lose its dominant role in Welsh politics.

From

We have seen other teams be dominant at the beginning of a season and slip back later on.

From

In the decade since his descent down a gilded escalator — and emergence as the most dominant and consequential political figure of the 21st century — Trump has proven himself a peerless master of distraction and deflection.

From

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