dominion

n. rule, sovereignty, mastery, control

A dominion, often Dominion, was a self-governing colony or autonomous state within the British Empire prior to 1948, and included Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland, South Africa, and Ireland. The word dominion dates back to at least the 17th century within the British Empire, referring generically to any British overseas possession. Dominion was conferred as  title upon Virginia (1500's), New England (1686), and Canada (1867). The Imperial Conference of 1907 decided that self-governing colonies in the Empire – Canada and Australia – should be referred to as Dominions as opposed to colonies. New Zealand and Newfoundland were quickly granted Dominion status that year, soon to be followed by South Africa (1910) and Ireland (1922). The Balfour Declaration (1926) and Statute of Westminster (1931) would recognize these territories as "autonomous Communities within the British Empire", establishing these states as equals to Britain. They would become independent members of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Following the Second World War, the decline of British Colonialism led to Dominions being referred to Commonwealth realms after 1948. The use of the word gradually diminished within these countries after this time.
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Noun
1. one of the self-governing nations in the British Commonwealth
(hypernym) state, nation, country, land, commonwealth, res publica, body politic

Noun
1. dominance or power through legal authority; "France held undisputed dominion over vast areas of Africa"; "the rule of Caesar"
(synonym) rule
(hypernym) dominance, ascendance, ascendence, ascendancy, ascendency, control
(hyponym) paramountcy
(derivation) dominate
2. a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
(synonym) district, territory, territorial dominion
(hypernym) region
(hyponym) administrative district, administrative division, territorial division

n. Dominion Day, Canadian holiday celebrating the Dominion's formation on July 1st 1867

n. dominion, rule, sovereignty