Learn English – Difference between domain and dominion

meaningword-usage

Can anybody give me more examples on how to use these words? I know for sure than you should not use dominion as domain for the Internet but apart from that sight difference both words seem to be synonyms to me.

and Death shall have no Dominion by Dylan Thomas

UPDATE

to Wordreference as a governed area they have the same meaning? So I guess "The domain of the Roman Empire" or "The dominion of the Roman Empire" are both legal. Am I right?

Best Answer

[An expansion of kolossus' comment]

Both domain and dominion have multiple related meanings.

ODO defines domaine as both

An area of territory owned or controlled by a ruler or government: the southwestern French domains of the Plantagenets

and

A specified sphere of activity or knowledge: the expanding domain of psychology

In both cases, it is the subject of control by a ruler, or under the jurisdiction of someone or something.

Dominion is defined by the same source as

Sovereignty; control: man’s attempt to establish dominion over nature

and

(usually dominions) The territory of a sovereign or government: the Angevin dominions

While both can refer to the territory over which one has control, dominion also refers to the act or process control itself. As such it seems to have a slightly more active connotation, suggesting strength or even force,not just possession.

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