The state of being more powerful, important, or in control than others. It can describe social power, physical strength, or the stronger form of a gene in biology.
From Latin 'dominantia', from 'dominari' meaning 'to rule', from 'dominus' meaning 'lord, master'. It came into English through French and Late Latin. The word has kept its sense of ruling or outweighing others.
In genetics, 'dominant' traits don’t destroy recessive ones—they just mask them in the visible outcome. Social dominance works similarly: the visible culture or group can hide others without erasing them. The same root idea of 'lordship' shows up in both biology and politics.
“Dominance” has been used to describe male control in social, sexual, and economic contexts, often normalizing male authority and female submission as natural. In linguistics and psychology, male dominance has been framed as a default pattern in interaction and hierarchy.
When discussing dominance, be explicit about structures (e.g., “male dominance in leadership roles”) rather than implying inherent traits of a gender. Avoid romanticizing dominance/submission stereotypes tied to gender.
["control","hegemony","prevalence","structural power"]
Women and gender-diverse people have consistently resisted gendered dominance structures, from labor organizing to feminist and queer movements; this resistance is part of the story, not an exception.
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