Definition of dominant

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dom·i·nant    (dm-nnt) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:

1. Exercising the most influence or control.
2. Most prominent, as in position; ascendant.
3. Genetics Of, relating to, or being an allele that produces the same phenotypic effect whether inherited with a homozygous or heterozygous allele.
4. Ecology Of, relating to, or being a species that is most characteristic of an ecological community and usually determines the presence, abundance, and type of other species.
5. Music Relating to or based on the fifth tone of a diatonic scale.

NOUN:

1. Genetics A dominant allele or trait.
2. Ecology A dominant species.
3. Music The fifth tone of a diatonic scale.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English dominaunt, from Old French, from Latin dominns, dominant- present participle of dominr, to dominate ; see dominate

OTHER FORMS:
domi·nant·ly(Adverb)

SYNONYMS:
dominant, predominant, preponderant, paramount, preeminent

These adjectives mean surpassing all others in power, influence, or position. Dominant applies to what exercises principal control or authority or is unmistakably ascendant: For decades, the Soviet Union was the dominant nation of eastern Europe. Predominant often implies being uppermost at a particular time or for the time being: "Egrets, gulls and small mammals are the predominant wildlife on the island these days" (Dan McCoubrey). Preponderant implies superiority as the result of outweighing or outnumbering all others: "No big modern war has been won without preponderant sea power" (Samuel Eliot Morison). Paramount means first in importance, rank, or regard: "My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union" (Abraham Lincoln). Preeminent suggests generally recognized supremacy: He is the preeminent tenor of the modern era.