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domain

noun
do·​main | \ dō-ˈmān How to pronounce domain (audio) , də-\

Definition of domain

1 law

a : complete and absolute (see absolute sense 3) ownership of land our highways and roads have been in the domain of state and local governments— T. H. White b. 1915 — compare eminent domain
b : land so owned
2 : a territory over which dominion (see dominion sense 2) is exercised The forest is part of the king's domain.
3 : a region distinctively marked by some physical feature a domain of rushing streams, tall trees, and lakes
4 : a sphere (see sphere sense 4b) of knowledge, influence, or activity the domain of biblical scholarship outside the domain of city police
5 mathematics : the set of elements (see element sense 2b(3)) to which a mathematical or logical variable is limited specifically : the set on which a function (see function entry 1 sense 5a) is defined
6 physics : any of the small randomly oriented regions of uniform magnetization in a ferromagnetic substance
7 mathematics : integral domain
8 biology : the highest taxonomic category in biological classification ranking above the kingdom (see kingdom sense 4b)
9 biochemistry : any of the three-dimensional subunits of a protein that are formed by the folding of its linear peptide chain and that together make up its tertiary (see tertiary entry 1 sense 3c) structure
10 computers : a subdivision of the Internet consisting of computers or sites usually with a common purpose (such as providing commercial information) and denoted in Internet addresses by a unique abbreviation (such as com for commercial sites or gov for government sites) The domain ca is used for sites located in Canada. also : domain name Our domain is Merriam-Webster.com.
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Examples of domain in a Sentence

The forest is part of the king's domain. My sister is the math expert in the family, but literature is my domain. Childcare is no longer solely a female domain.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Gaines, a fourth-round pick from the University of Washington, is still adjusting to his new domain. — Los Angeles Times, "Rookie Greg Gaines aims to be Rams’ starting defensive tackle," 31 July 2019 Abundant fossil bones, teeth, trackways, and other hard evidence have revealed that Earth was the domain of the dinosaurs for at least 230 million years. — Victoria Jaggard, National Geographic, "Why did the dinosaurs go extinct?," 31 July 2019 That’s the question at the center of a debate between Evanston and Northwestern officials over future rules for a beach that for decades was the exclusive domain of Northwestern students, staff and faculty. — Genevieve Bookwalter, chicagotribune.com, "Northwestern, Evanston officials differ on rules for campus beach," 16 July 2019 Em shows that the AI can handle complicated situations with hidden information—an arena of deceit once thought to be the exclusive domain of human cunning. — Nicolas Rivero, Quartz, "Facebook and the US Army funded an AI that can beat you at poker," 11 July 2019 These types of ideas and feel good phrases were once the domain of hippies and beach towns. — Molly Longman, refinery29.com, "Marianne Williamson Is A Wellness Guru Running For President. Really," 25 June 2019 Cable news and social media have helped give voters front-row seats for the political show that was once the exclusive domain of people living in Iowa and New Hampshire. — Victoria Mcgraneand James Pindell, BostonGlobe.com, "The demise of the New Hampshire primary? Nah, they’ve heard that one before.," 20 June 2019 This kind of orbital signal sniffing also used to be the domain of governments. — The Economist, "A new business in small satellites orbiting the Earth," 15 June 2019 These days, bespoke, holistic services are not only the domain of small, independent specialists such as Britta Plug. — Prue Lewington, Harper's BAZAAR, "Women Are Giving Up Botox for Facial Massage," 23 May 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'domain.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of domain

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for domain

alteration of Middle English demayne, from Anglo-French demeine, from Latin dominium, from dominus — see dominate

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More Definitions for domain

domain

noun
How to pronounce domain (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of domain

: the land that a ruler or a government controls
: an area of knowledge or activity
: a section of the Internet that is made up of computers or sites that are related in some way (such as by use or source)

See the full definition for domain in the English Language Learners Dictionary

domain

noun
do·​main | \ dō-ˈmān How to pronounce domain (audio) \

Kids Definition of domain

1 : land under the control of a ruler or a government
2 : a field of knowledge or activity the domain of science
3 : domain name

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