What does "dominion" mean?

1. (power and control) the power to control or rule over a person, group, or thing. 2. (governed territory) the land or territory that a person or government rules. 3. (British Commonwealth status) a historical name for a self-governing country within the British Empire.

How do you use "dominion"?

Often used with the preposition 'over'.

dominion

US //dəˈmɪnjən// UK //dəmˈɪniən// do·min·ion

1 power and control (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Literary

the power to control or rule over a person, group, or thing.

sovereignty or supreme authority; the exercise of absolute control or stewardship.

Example

In many old stories, humans try to have dominion over all the animals in the forest.

Example

The emperor sought to extend his dominion over the neighboring tribes, claiming a divine right to govern their lands and resources.

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'over'.
- subservience
- weakness
2 governed territory (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Literary

the land or territory that a person or government rules.

a territory, sphere of influence, or country under a particular government or sovereignty.

Example

The king traveled to the furthest corners of his dominion to meet his people.

Example

The treaty redefined the borders of the prince's dominion, ceding several coastal ports to the rival merchant republic.

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3 British Commonwealth status (n.)
C2 Proficiency Archaic Formal

a historical name for a self-governing country within the British Empire.

a historical title for autonomous polities within the British Empire and later the Commonwealth, such as Canada or Australia.

Example

Canada was known as a Dominion before it gained full independence from Britain.

Example

The 1926 Balfour Declaration recognized the Dominions as autonomous communities within the British Empire, equal in status to the United Kingdom.

Teacher's tip

This sense is primarily historical; modern speakers use 'sovereign nation' or 'Commonwealth realm' instead.
- self governing colony

Origin

From Middle English dominion, from Middle French dominion, from Latin dominium (“lordship, right of ownership”), from dominus (“lord”), from domus (“house”). See demain, demesne, domain, dominium.