Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » subordinate

subordinate

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of subordinate is someone who is lower in rank to another or subject to another's control.

(adjective)

An example of subordinate is an army private who is under command of a general.

See subordinate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

inferior to or placed below another in rank, power, importance, etc.; secondary
under the power or authority of another
subservient or submissive
Gram. having the function of a noun, adjective, or adverb within a sentence: a subordinate phrase

Origin: ME < ML subordinatus, pp. of subordinare < L sub-, under + ordinare, to order: see ordain

noun

a subordinate person or thing

transitive verb subordinated, subordinating

to place in a subordinate position; treat as less important or inferior (to)
to make obedient or subservient (to); control; subdue

Related Forms:

subordinately adverb
subordinative adjective

See subordinate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Belonging to a lower or inferior class or rank; secondary.
Subject to the authority or control of another.

noun

One that is subordinate.

transitive verb (sə-bôrˈdn-ātˌ) sub·or·di·nat·ed, sub·or·di·nat·ing, sub·or·di·nates

To put in a lower or inferior rank or class.
To make subservient; subdue.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English subordinat

Origin: , from Medieval Latin subōrdinātus

Origin: , past participle of subōrdināre, to put in a lower rank

Origin: : Latin sub-, sub-

Origin: + Latin ōrdināre, to set in order (from ōrdō, ōrdin-, order; see ar- in Indo-European roots)

Related Forms:

sub·orˈdi·nate·ly adverb

sub·orˈdi·nate·ness, sub·orˌdi·naˈtion (-nāˈshən) noun

sub·orˈdi·naˌtive (-nəˌtĭv) adjective

Learn more about subordinate

subordinate synonyms

subordinate in a sentence

subordinate quotes

link/cite print suggestion box

More from YD

» more results...

subordinate conjunction

subordinating conjunction