[hi-jem-uh-nee, hej-uh-moh-nee] 
| 1. | leadership or predominant influence exercised by one nation over others, as in a confederation. |
| 2. | leadership; predominance. |
| 3. | (esp. among smaller nations) aggression or expansionism by large nations in an effort to achieve world domination. |
n) leader + -ia -y 3 
[hej-uh-mon-ik] , heg⋅e⋅mon⋅i⋅cal, adjective | he·gem·o·ny (hĭ-jěm'ə-nē, hěj'ə-mō'nē) n. pl. he·gem·o·nies The predominant influence, as of a state, region, or group, over another or others. [Greek hēgemoniā, from hēgemōn, leader; see hegemon.] heg'e·mon'ic (hěj'ə-mŏn'ĭk) adj., he·gem'o·nism n., he·gem'o·nist adj. & n. Usage Note: Hegemony may be stressed on either the first or second syllable, though the pronunciation with stress on the second syllable may be winning out. Seventy-two percent of the Usage Panel prefers it. |
