Subordinate means lower in rank, position, or importance. In an organization, subordinate employees report to managers or bosses who have authority over them. A lieutenant is subordinate to a captain, who is subordinate to a general.

The word can also describe ideas or things that matter less than something else. In the sentence “Although it was raining, we went to the park,” the rain is subordinate to the decision to go to the park: the rain mattered, but the choice to go mattered more. A subordinate character in a story isn't as important as the main character.

As a verb, to subordinate means to treat something as less important or to place it under someone else's control. A good team captain learns to subordinate personal glory to the team's success, meaning they put winning together ahead of individual statistics. When you subordinate your desire to play video games to finishing homework first, you're recognizing that homework takes priority.

Understanding hierarchy and subordination helps organizations function. People may have subordinate roles while still contributing their skills and ideas and being treated with respect.