English Reference
noun

dominance

n.
US /ˈdɑmənəns/ UK /dˈɒmɪnəns/ dom·i·nance UK spelling dominances

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the state of being more powerful or important than others.

    the condition of having power, authority, or influence over others.

    Simple

    The company's dominance in the smartphone market lasted for over a decade.

    In context

    The empire maintained its political dominance through a combination of military might and strategic trade alliances across the continent.

    weaknesssubordination
  2. 02 C1 Advanced Technical Science

    the way a specific gene shows its effect even when only one parent passes it on.

    the property of a genetic trait or allele that allows it to be expressed in the phenotype even when a different allele is present.

    Simple

    In many plants, the gene for red flowers shows dominance over the gene for white flowers.

    In context

    The researcher studied the incomplete dominance of certain alleles to understand why the offspring displayed a blend of parental traits.

    Usage

    Often used in the context of Mendelian genetics to describe allele relationships.

    recessiveness
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    the natural tendency to use one side of your body more than the other, like being right-handed.

    the functional superiority or preferred use of one side of the body or one of a pair of organs.

    Simple

    Most people show a clear right-hand dominance when they start learning to write.

    In context

    Occupational therapists often assess ocular dominance alongside hand preference to better understand a child's motor development.

    lateralization

Usage dominance of

Barcelona’s dominance of Real Madrid in the last two football seasons has been clear for all to see.

Al Jazeera· 14 Aug 2026

Because of the dominance of US financial and technology institutions, the sanctions have trickled down and affected their ability to access services in other countries as well.

The Guardian· 11 Aug 2026

From dominant + -ance.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated