dominion
- 01 C1 Advanced
the power to control or rule over a person, group, or thing.
sovereignty or supreme authority; the exercise of absolute control or stewardship.
Simple“In many old stories, humans try to have dominion over all the animals in the forest.”
In context“The emperor sought to extend his dominion over the neighboring tribes, claiming a divine right to govern their lands and resources.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'over'.
SynonymsAntonymssubservienceweakness - 02 C1 Advanced
the land or territory that a person or government rules.
a territory, sphere of influence, or country under a particular government or sovereignty.
Simple“The king traveled to the furthest corners of his dominion to meet his people.”
In context“The treaty redefined the borders of the prince's dominion, ceding several coastal ports to the rival merchant republic.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
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.
Simple“Canada was known as a Dominion before it gained full independence from Britain.”
In context“The 1926 Balfour Declaration recognized the Dominions as autonomous communities within the British Empire, equal in status to the United Kingdom.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is primarily historical; modern speakers use 'sovereign nation' or 'Commonwealth realm' instead.
Synonymsself governing colony
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.