To dominate means to have power or control over something or someone. When one team dominates a soccer match, they control the ball most of the time, create more scoring chances, and usually win by a large margin. When a tall building dominates the skyline, it towers over everything else and draws your eye immediately.

Domination happens in many contexts. In nature, a dominant wolf leads the pack and gets first choice of food. In a conversation, one person might dominate by talking constantly and not letting others speak. A company can dominate an industry by having far more customers than its competitors. Mount Everest dominates the Himalayas as the tallest peak.

The word carries different feelings depending on how it's used. Dominating a chess tournament through skill and strategy is admirable. But dominating a group project by refusing to listen to anyone else's ideas is selfish and counterproductive.

True domination suggests overwhelming control or influence that leaves little room for competition or alternatives. A team might win a game, but they only dominate it when their control is so complete that the outcome never feels in doubt.