# supremacy

/səˈpɹɛməsi/ (US) · /suːpɹˈɛməsi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/supremacy
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. total power or dominance

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the position of having more power, authority, or influence than anyone else.

For teachers: the state of being superior to all others in authority, power, or status. Often used in political or military contexts.

- The empire struggled to maintain its military supremacy over the neighboring countries.
- The naval supremacy of the British fleet during the nineteenth century allowed for the expansion of trade routes across the globe.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'over'.

### 2. being the best at something

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the state of being better or more successful than all competitors.

For teachers: the quality of being the best or most successful in a particular field or activity.

- The team's supremacy in the league was clear after they won ten games in a row.
- Technological supremacy in the semiconductor industry is a primary goal for many competing nations in the modern economy.

### 3. ideology of superiority

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the belief that one group of people is better than others and should have all the power.

For teachers: the ideology or belief system asserting that a specific group is inherently superior to others and should exercise dominance over them.

- The group was criticized for promoting ideas of racial supremacy.
- Sociologists study how institutional structures can inadvertently maintain the supremacy of one social class over another.

Teaching tip: In modern social and political discourse, this sense is frequently used in the context of 'white supremacy' to describe systemic racism.

## Examples

- The team fought hard to maintain their supremacy in the league.
- The empire's naval supremacy allowed it to control trade routes across the entire region for centuries.
- The rapid advancement of semiconductor technology has become a central battleground for nations seeking technological supremacy in the global market.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.