The meaning of SUBORDINATE is placed in or occupying a lower class, rank, or position : inferior. How to use subordinate in a sentence.

As a verb, to subordinate means to place or rank one thing below another. When you're doing a group project, sometimes you have to subordinate your ideas to the desires of the larger group.

Subject to the authority or control of another. n. One that is subordinate. 1. To put in a lower or inferior rank or class. 2. To make subservient; subdue.

Of little or less importance (Definition of subordinate from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

Definition of subordinate adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

There are ten meanings listed in OED's entry for the word subordinate, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Apr 2, 2026 · Adjective subordinate (comparative more subordinate, superlative most subordinate) Placed in a lower class, rank, or position.

A subordinate is someone who works for someone else. As a verb, to subordinate means to place or rank one thing below another. When you're doing a group project, sometimes you have to …

sub•or•di•nate /adj., n. səˈbɔrdənɪt; v. -dəˌneɪt/ adj., n., v., -nat•ed, -nat•ing. being in a lower order or rank: He had to accept a subordinate post in the new administration. secondary: In some colleges …

In some cultures, the welfare of the individual is subordinate to the welfare of the group. She leaves the day-to-day running of the firm to her subordinates. The company is guilty of subordinating safety to …