noun
Uncommon
dominion
duh-MIHN-yuhn
Dominion (noun) means Supreme power or authority over a territory or group of people. Example: “The king claimed dominion over all the lands from the coast to the mountains.”
noun
1
Supreme power or authority over a territory or group of people.
"The king claimed dominion over all the lands from the coast to the mountains."
"The queen ruled with absolute dominion over her people for many years."
"Under her dominion, the island enjoyed a long period of peace."
2
A territory or country governed by a particular ruler or authority.
"Canada and Australia were once dominions of the British Empire."
"The island became a self-governing dominion within the empire."
"Historians often describe the colony as a distant dominion of the crown."
How to use dominion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRule or control over a place, or the territory itself that is ruled.
When to use it
Fairly formal or literary word, common in older political and religious texts.
Common pairings
exercise dominion over
dominion over the land
have dominion
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Word forms
- Plural
- dominions
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The king claimed _____ over all the lands from the coast to the mountains.
Etymology
From Latin dominium, "ownership, lordship," from dominus, "lord, master" — the same root as "dominate" and "domain."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dominion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for dominion →
Frequently asked questions
What does “dominion” mean?
The word “dominion” means supreme power or authority over a territory or group of people. In plain terms, rule or control over a place, or the territory itself that is ruled.
How do you pronounce “dominion”?
“Dominion” is pronounced duh-MIHN-yuhn (/dəˈmɪnjən/ in IPA).
How do you use “dominion” in a sentence?
Here is “dominion” used in a sentence: “The king claimed dominion over all the lands from the coast to the mountains.”
What part of speech is “dominion”?
“Dominion” is a noun.
Where does the word “dominion” come from?
The word “dominion” comes from Latin. From Latin dominium, "ownership, lordship," from dominus, "lord, master" — the same root as "dominate" and "domain.".
Is “dominion” a common word?
“Dominion” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dominion” have?
“Dominion” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: supreme power or authority over a territory or group of people.
What is the difference between "dominion" and "domain"?
"Dominion" emphasizes supreme power or authority exercised over a territory or people, while "domain" more neutrally refers to an area of control or a field of activity. "Dominion" carries a stronger sense of rule and sovereignty.
What is the difference between "dominion" and "sovereignty"?
"Sovereignty" refers to the ultimate legal authority or independence of a state, while "dominion" refers more broadly to the exercise of power or control over a territory or group, which can be held short of full sovereignty.
Can "dominion" refer to a place as well as a power?
Yes. "Dominion" can mean both the authority or control itself and the actual territory or country governed by that authority, as in "the king's dominions."
