often capitalizedgovernment: a self-governing nation of the Commonwealth of Nations other than the United Kingdom that acknowledges the British monarch as chief of state
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law: absolute ownership
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The ruler of a region has dominion over it, and the area itself may be called the ruler's dominion. In the days of the British Empire, Great Britain had dominion over many countries throughout the world. Though Canada has been quite independent of Great Britain since the 19th century, its formal title remains Dominion of Canada. The word has an old-fashioned sound today, and probably shows up in history books, historical novels, and fantasy video games more often than in discussions of modern nations.
power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.
the power to mold public opinion
authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.
granted the authority to manage her estate
jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.
the bureau having jurisdiction over parks
control stresses the power to direct and restrain.
you are responsible for the students under your control
command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.
the army officer in command
sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.
the empire extended its sway over the region
dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.
given dominion over all the animals
Example Sentences
The U.S. has dominion over the island. The countries fought for dominion of the territory. the dominions of the empire
Recent Examples on the WebWhen Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the British throne in 1952, her empire from the West Indies to the Far East was in its final stages of decline, having lost the crown’s leading dominion, India, five years prior. Shafi Musaddique, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2022 Set a better stage in which to gain dominion over our emotional states. Alex Wagner, SPIN, 1 Sep. 2022 After killing off the Man in Black, and breaking good to set up Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) for a possible new world, disillusioned host Hale gave up her past dominion-ruling ambitions. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 15 Aug. 2022 During the next eight years, more than fourteen thousand people died in a stalemated conflict, while Russia and the separatists consolidated their dominion over about a third of the Donbas. Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 23 July 2022 Written by Neil Gaiman and drawn by a rotating series of artists, The Sandman, which ran from 1989 to 1996, posits that there is a family of cosmic beings more powerful than any god, each with a dominion over some crucial aspect of human existence. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2022 For a few weeks every year, pumpkin spice has almost complete and total dominion over hungry consumers across the US. Leah Asmelash And Scottie Andrew, CNN, 30 Oct. 2021 In fact, the championship itself ever-so-slightly predates the NCAA’s dominion over women’s intercollegiate athletics. Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 14 June 2022 This saved Finland from Russian dominion but also delayed full integration with the West. Adam O’neal, WSJ, 12 June 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English dominioun, from Middle French dominion, modification of Latin dominium, from dominus — see dominical