Standard Lemma guide

predominate

adj · verb · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • /pɹɪˈdɒmɪnət/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • /pɹɪˈdɒmɪneɪt/
  • CMU ARPABET: P R IH0 D AA1 M AH0 N EY2 T Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
  • CMU ARPABET 2: P R IH0 D AA1 M AH0 N AH0 T Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Predominant.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: proscribed, sometimes

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To dominate, have control, or succeed by superior numbers or size.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To be prominent; to loom large; to be the chief component of a whole.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To dominate or hold power over, especially through numerical advantage; to outweigh.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

adjective satellite

Meaning 5

having superior power and influence

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the predominant mood among policy-makers is optimism

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: overriding, paramount, predominant, preponderant, preponderating

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Money reigns supreme here
  • Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: dominate, rule, reign, prevail

Antonyms: none provided

Narrower terms: override, overarch, preponderate, outweigh, overbalance, outbalance

7

verb

Meaning 7

appear very large or occupy a commanding position

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The huge sculpture predominates over the fountain
  • Large shadows loomed on the canyon wall

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: loom, tower, hulk

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: rise, lift, rear

History

Etymology

From Latin praedominātus, past participle of praedominor. By surface analysis, pre- + dominate.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Portuguese: predominar — to dominate, succeed by superior numbers
  • Spanish: predominar — to dominate, succeed by superior numbers
  • Portuguese: predominar — to be prominent