vorherrschende

Vorherrschende is a German adjective formed from the verb vorherrschen, meaning to prevail or to be dominant. It describes something that predominates in a given context, especially when explaining opinions, trends, traits, or conditions that are most influential or widespread.

As an attributive adjective, vorherrschende inflects like other adjectives according to gender, number and case: die vorherrschende Meinung, das vorherrschende Merkmal, die vorherrschenden Trends. In predicative usage it is possible but less common: Die Meinung ist vorherrschend.

Etymology: the word combines vor- (“before” or “in front of”) with herrschen (“to rule, to govern”). The form with the suffix -end is the present participle used adjectivally, signaling ongoing dominance or predominance.

Usage and nuance: vorherrschende is frequently found in sociology, politics, journalism and science, where it signals not only currency but also leading influence among competing ideas or phenomena. Examples include vorherrschende Trends in climate policy, vorherrschende Meinungen in einer Debatte, or das vorherrschende Merkmal einer Population.

Related terms: Vorherrschaft refers to dominance or supremacy, often in a more general or sustained sense. The noun form vorherrschend is related to the adjective, while in genetics the term dominant is more commonly used in technical contexts; vorherrschende Merkmale can appear in non-technical writing but may be replaced by dominante Merkmale in scientific texts.