Meaning & use

dominant

adjective·Academic

Having the most power, control, or influence over others in a group, situation, or system.

See it in a sentence

The dominant wolf in the pack ate first and decided where the group traveled.

Her dominant personality meant she usually led the discussion without meaning to.

A note on using this word

In genetics, a dominant allele is one whose trait appears even when only one copy is inherited.

Words with a similar meaning

prevailingleading

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Another way to use it

2. noun

In genetics, an allele that produces its effect in an organism even when paired with a different allele.

Brown eye color is often described as dominant over blue in simplified genetics lessons.

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