dominion
dominion — noun
- dominionsingular
- dominionsplural
1. the power or right to govern a country or group of people completely
the power or right to govern a country or group of people completely
The Spanish crown claimed dominion over vast territories across the Americas for nearly three centuries.
claim dominion over + [territory]
Hannah argued that no single nation should hold dominion over the world's shared oceans.
hold dominion over + [resource]
For decades the dictator held absolute dominion and silenced anyone who spoke against him.
The treaty ended the empire's dominion and granted independence to twelve former colonies.
In the ancient world, Rome's dominion stretched from Britain all the way to North Africa.
- sovereignty
more specific: the absolute right of a state to govern itself without outside interference
- supremacy
emphasises being above all rivals, often used in military or competitive contexts rather than governance
- rule
more general and neutral; can describe benevolent or harsh government
- subjugation
the state of being controlled by another, rather than holding power oneself
用法筆記
Frequently used with the prepositions 'over' and 'under'. The subject is typically a person, nation, or institution with governing power. Most common in historical, political, and literary contexts.
常見錯誤
2. the land or territory that is under the control of a single ruler or government
the land or territory that is under the control of a single ruler or government
King Olaf's dominion included several fertile valleys and a narrow strip of coastline.
possessive + dominion included
The Grand Duke's dominion was bordered by a stone wall, and guards checked every traveller.
[ruler]'s dominion was bordered by
After the war, the king's dominion shrank — only the capital and its farmland remained.
Aylin crossed into the caliph's dominion hoping to find work in the bustling market towns.
The old map showed the queen's dominion in red, stretching across the eastern plains.
用法筆記
Often used with a possessive form (the king's dominion, her dominion). More literary than synonyms like 'territory' or 'land'. Appears mainly in historical descriptions and fantasy writing.
常見錯誤
3. any of the self-governing countries that were once part of the British Empire an
any of the self-governing countries that were once part of the British Empire and later became members of the Commonwealth
Canada became a dominion in 1867, keeping its own parliament under the British Crown.
became a dominion + year
New Zealand was granted dominion status in 1907 and later chose full independence.
was granted dominion status
At the Imperial Conference, dominion leaders gathered to discuss trade and defence with London.
Esteban, a history student in Dublin, wrote his thesis on how Ireland became a dominion.
The old passport listed Jenna's nationality as a citizen of the Dominion of Australia.
- Commonwealth realm
the modern term for countries that still recognise the British monarch as head of state
- colony
a dominion had its own government and parliament; a colony was ruled directly from Britain
用法筆記
Always capitalised when part of an official name (the Dominion of Canada). This is a historical term: modern Commonwealth countries are rarely called dominions today except in historical discussion. Distinguish from sense 1: dominion here names a political status, not the abstract power of rule.