Dominant

Part of Speech

Adjective, Noun

Pronunciation

UK: /ˈdɒmɪnənt/ | US: /ˈdɑːmɪnənt/

Definitions

1. (Adjective) Having power, influence, or control over others.
2. (Adjective) Most important, powerful, or influential.
3. (Adjective) In genetics, describing an allele that produces the same phenotype whether its paired allele is identical or different.
4. (Noun) A dominant person, animal, or entity in a group or hierarchy.
5. (Noun) In music, the fifth note of a diatonic scale.

Usage Examples

• She played a dominant role in the company's expansion.
• Lions are the dominant predators in the savannah.
• The dominant gene determines the color of the flowers.
• The dominant in the musical scale is G in the key of C major.

Etymology

Derived from Latin dominantem, present participle of dominari ("to rule, to govern"). First recorded in English in the late 16th century.

Synonyms

• Leading
• Controlling
• Authoritative
• Influential
• Supreme

Antonyms

• Submissive
• Inferior
• Weak
• Secondary
• Minor

Translations

(More translations for over 20 global and 30 Indian languages available upon request.)

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• British English: /ˈdɒmɪnənt/
• American English: /ˈdɑːmɪnənt/
• Australian English: /ˈdɒmɪnənt/ (similar to UK English)

Historical Usage

Originally used in the context of power and authority in the 16th century, the word has evolved to cover biological, musical, and social hierarchies.

Cultural Nuances

Dominant is often associated with leadership and strength but can carry both positive and negative connotations depending on the context. In social psychology, dominance can imply assertiveness or aggression, while in genetics, it signifies the stronger inherited trait.

More Information

The term dominant is widely used across different fields, reflecting both power and influence. In sociology, it describes leadership roles or groups with greater control over resources. In biology, dominant alleles are those that express their traits in the presence of another allele. In music, the dominant note or chord plays a crucial role in harmonic structure. The word's versatility highlights its importance in conveying authority, prominence, and hierarchical structures.