Dominion

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɪnjÉ™n

Origin

From Middle English dominion, from Middle French dominion, from Medieval Latin dominio, equiv. to Latin dominium ("lordship, right of ownership"), from dominus ("lord"), from domus ("house"). See domain, demain, demesne.

Full definition of dominion

Noun

1. Power or the use of power; sovereignty over something; stewardship, supremacy.
• Bible, Daniel iv. 34I praised and honoured him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion.
• JowettTo choose between dominion or slavery.
2. predominance; ascendancy
• DrydenObjects placed foremost ought ... have dominion over things confused and transient.
3. (sometimes figurative) A kingdom, nation, or other sphere of influence; governed territory.the dominions of a kingthe dominion of the passions
4. (historical) One of the colonies of the British Empire given self-government through the Statute of Westminster, such as Canada or Newfoundland.
5. (Biblical tradition) An order of angel in Christian angelology, ranked above angels and below thrones.
• Bible, Colossians 1:16By him were all things created ... whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers.

Related terms

• dominate
• domination
• dominator
• domineering
• domino