To have strong control, power, or influence over someone or something. It can also mean to be the most noticeable or important feature in a place or situation.
From Latin 'dominari' meaning 'to rule, to be lord', from 'dominus' meaning 'master'. The verb entered English via French and Church Latin. It has kept the core idea of ruling over or overshadowing others.
To 'dominate' a conversation doesn’t just mean you talk a lot—it means your voice shapes what everyone else can say. The word’s root in 'lordship' reminds us that domination always involves unequal power, even in subtle social settings. It’s a quiet warning built into everyday language.
“Dominate” has been used to describe how men “dominate” fields, conversations, and households, often normalizing gendered power imbalances. It also appears in sexual and social contexts where male dominance is framed as desirable or expected.
When you say a group “dominates” a field (e.g., men in tech), clarify that this reflects historical and structural factors, not innate ability. Avoid endorsing gendered domination as a norm.
["lead","control","prevail in","hold most positions in"]
Women and gender minorities have worked to enter and transform fields where men dominate, often facing resistance; include their contributions when mapping who “dominates” a space.
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