supremacy

noun

su·​prem·​a·​cy sə-ˈpre-mə-sē How to pronounce supremacy (audio)
sü-,
 also  -ˈprē-
plural supremacies
1
: the quality or state of being supreme
especially : a position of unquestioned authority, dominance, or influence
military/naval supremacy
In the 20th century, two completely different models of how to run an economy battled for supremacy. Bill McKibben
Natal's well-watered valleys … became by the end of the 18th century the site of a contest for supremacyNoel Mostert
Every high school boasts its elite squad of lookers: sparkling teeth, merciless anatomy, sunny filaments of hair … . Between classes, they parade down the halls, trooping their supremacies like Clydesdales. Richard Lacayo
2
: ultimate authority or power
belief in the supremacy of God

Examples of supremacy in a Sentence

the Roman empire had supremacy over the entire Mediterranean world the supremacy of cashmere among wools accounts for its high price
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.
Now, China is facing off with the U.S. not just on trade but advanced technologies including AI and semiconductors, as the world’s two largest economies jockey for supremacy in these areas. Yue Wang, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2025 Their supremacy in the sport was fueled, in part, by the fact that they were looked after exceptionally well by the state. Jamie Barton, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025 In Chicago, as in other major cities, a few high-profile mobsters battled it out for bootlegging supremacy. Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025 The first reason for the low-budget erotic thriller’s dominance had to do with Blockbuster Video’s supremacy as the United States’ biggest video store chain. Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for supremacy 

Word History

Etymology

supreme + -acy (as in primacy)

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of supremacy was in 1540

Dictionary Entries Near supremacy

Cite this Entry

“Supremacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supremacy. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

supremacy

noun
su·​prem·​a·​cy sə-ˈprem-ə-sē How to pronounce supremacy (audio)
plural supremacies
1
: the quality or state of being supreme
2
: supreme authority or power

More from Merriam-Webster on supremacy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!