Definition of HEGEMONY (original) (raw)
2
: the social, cultural, ideological, or economic influence exerted by a dominant group
Did you know?
Hegemony refers to a kind of domination. It was borrowed in the mid-16th century from the Greek word hēgemonia, a noun formed from the verb hēgeisthai, “to lead.” At first hegemony was used specifically to refer to the control once wielded by ancient Greek states; later it was applied to domination by other political actors. By the 19th century, the word had acquired a second sense referring to the social or cultural influence wielded by a dominant entity over others of its kind, a sense employed by design scholar Joshua Langman when describing the use of found objects by French artist Marcel Duchamp (he of notorious readymade Fountain fame) as a means “to question and criticize the values of the artistic hegemony by eschewing craft entirely.”
Synonyms
Examples of hegemony in a Sentence
… the very concept of "scientific truth" can only represent a social construction invented by scientists (whether consciously or not) as a device to justify their hegemony over the study of nature. —
Stephen Jay Gould, Science, 14 Jan. 2000 When Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union, in June of 1941, distracted Japan's traditional rival for hegemony in East Asia, Japanese expansionists saw a historic opportunity. —David M. Kennedy, Atlantic, March 1999 If mermaids had ceased to challenge scientific hegemony, other similarly mythological creatures rushed in to fill their places in Victorian hearts and minds. —Harriet Ritvo, The Platypus and the Mermaid, 1997
They discussed the national government's hegemony over their tribal community. European intellectuals have long debated the consequences of the hegemony of American popular culture around the world.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With the stroke of a pen, Trump has built upon his successful legacy of tariffs to balance the scales of international trade and ensure American hegemony. —Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025 Second, the United States would maintain dollar hegemony. —Eyck Freymann, Foreign Affairs, 29 Jan. 2025 Similarly, during the hegemony of the New England Patriots over the first two decades of this century, New Englanders figured the league was targeting their team and the rest of the nation groused that Brady, Belichick and Co. got every break known to mankind. —Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 24 Jan. 2025 Or were all those billionaire potentates in the Capitol Rotunda — seated in front of Trump’s Cabinet picks — asserting their social, economic and cultural hegemony? —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for hegemony 
Word History
Etymology
Greek hēgemonia, from hēgemōn leader, from hēgeisthai to lead — more at seek
First Known Use
1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of hegemony was in 1567
Dictionary Entries Near hegemony
Cite this Entry
“Hegemony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hegemony. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Share
More from Merriam-Webster on hegemony
Last Updated: 12 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!