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Definition of "subordinate" []

  • Belonging to a lower or inferior class or rank; secondary. (adjective)
  • Subject to the authority or control of another. (adjective)
  • One that is subordinate. (noun)
  • To put in a lower or inferior rank or class. (verb-transitive)
  • To make subservient; subdue. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "subordinate" in a sentence
  • "So I asked the students, what do you think about the term subordinate group?"
  • "This is super common in subordinate male loose affilitations."
  • "Hey ralph, it seems a subordinate is trying desperately to rise in the social heirarchy by attempting to build a social affiliation with a higher ranking member of the troop …."