dominion

noun

do·​min·​ion də-ˈmi-nyən 

1

: domain

2

law : supreme authority : sovereignty

having dominion over the natural world

3

dominions plural, Christianity : an order of angels see celestial hierarchy

4

often capitalized government : a self-governing nation of the Commonwealth of Nations other than the United Kingdom that acknowledges the British monarch as chief of state

5

law : absolute ownership

Did you know?

The ruler of a region has dominion over it, and the area itself may be called the ruler's dominion. In the days of the British Empire, Great Britain had dominion over many countries throughout the world. Though Canada has been quite independent of Great Britain since the 19th century, its formal title remains Dominion of Canada. The word has an old-fashioned sound today, and probably shows up in history books, historical novels, and fantasy video games more often than in discussions of modern nations.

Synonyms

• ascendance
• ascendence
• ascendancy
• ascendency
• dominance
• domination
• hegemony
• imperium
• predominance
• predominancy
• preeminence
• reign
• sovereignty
• sovranty
• supremacy

Choose the Right Synonym for dominion

power, authority, jurisdiction, control, command, sway, dominion mean the right to govern or rule or determine.

power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

Examples of dominion in a Sentence

The U.S. has dominion over the island.

The countries fought for dominion of the territory.

the dominions of the empire

Recent Examples on the Web

Glimpses of past traumas and ongoing tribulations are thrown into balance the full breadth of a character striving to solidify her dominion. —Holly Jones, Variety, 16 Oct. 2024

Spain’s colonial tenure ended in the twilight years of the nineteenth century with the emergence of the United States as a world power, hungry for its own offshore dominions. —Jon Lee Anderson, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021

For Putin’s Russia to rethink its ties to the West, the West would have to withdraw its military support for Ukraine and agree to a neutral Ukraine or a divided Ukraine in which Russia has dominion over at least half of the country. —Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 19 June 2023

The trouble arose at the century’s end, when pirates’ depredations interfered with London’s growing maritime dominion. —Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dominioun, from Middle French dominion, modification of Latin dominium, from dominus — see dominical

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dominion

• inter-dominion

Kids Definition

dominion

noun

do·​min·​ion də-ˈmin-yən 

1

: domain sense 1

2

: supreme authority : sovereignty

3

often capitalized : a self-governing nation of the Commonwealth of Nations other than the United Kingdom that accepts the British monarch as chief of state

Etymology

Middle English dominioun "control, rule," from early French dominion (same meaning), from Latin dominium "rule, ownership," from dominus "master, owner" — related to domain, dominate

Legal Definition

dominion

noun

do·​min·​ion də-ˈmin-yən 

1

a

: supreme authority : sovereignty

b

: a territory over which such authority is exercised

c

often capitalized : a self-governing nation (as Canada) of the British Commonwealth other than the United Kingdom that acknowledges the British monarch as the head of state

2

: the power (as authority) or right (as ownership) to use or dispose of property

specifically : absolute or exclusive use, control, ownership, or possession of property

the transferred property is placed beyond the donor's dominion and control

—W. M. McGovern, Jr. et al.

the bailee exercised dominion over the vehicle