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domain

/ˌdoʊ̯ˈmeɪ̯n/
noun

DOMAIN meaning spans a controlled area, a field of activity, and the input values accepted by a function; the six-letter word scores 9 Scrabble points.

NWL Collins ENABLE

Noun 4 meanings

  1. A geographic area owned or controlled by a single person or organization.

    “The king ruled his domain harshly.”

  2. A field or sphere of activity, influence or expertise.

    “Dealing with complaints isn't really my domain: get in touch with customer services.”

  3. A group of related items, topics, or subjects.

  4. The set of input (argument) values for which a function is defined.

Definitions: Wiktionary (CC BY-SA) via Kaikki/Wiktextract

Where it comes from

Etymology

From Middle English demayne, demain (“rule”), from Old French demeine, demaine, demeigne, domaine (“power”), (French domaine), from Latin dominium (“property, right of ownership”), from dominus (“master, proprietor, owner”). Doublet of demesne and dominium, and closely related to dominion and domino.

Similar and opposite words

Similar
demesnehostnamedominium
Opposite
rangecodomain

DOMAIN shifts meaning with its setting: it can name land under one owner’s control, a sphere of expertise, or the allowed inputs of a mathematical function. That range makes it more than a geography term. Its letter mix is straightforward to score, but rearranging all six tiles yields just one recorded anagram, DAIMON.

DOMAIN at a glance

  • DOMAIN has 6 letters and scores 9 points in Scrabble.
  • Its meanings include a controlled geographic area, a field of activity, and a function’s input set.
  • DAIMON is its only listed anagram.
  • DEMAIN is its only one-letter neighbour.

What does DOMAIN mean?

DOMAIN means an area owned or controlled by a person or organization. In everyday use, it also means a sphere where someone has influence or expertise: a subject can be a specialist’s domain. The word can describe a set of related topics, too.

In mathematics, a function’s domain is the set of input values for which the function is defined. That technical sense is distinct from the geographic one, even though both describe a defined range. DOMAIN appears in ENABLE, NWL2023, and Collins source lists.

How DOMAIN scores and rearranges

The Scrabble total comes from D worth 2, M worth 3, and O, A, I, and N worth 1 apiece. DOMAIN’s value is spread across familiar tiles rather than concentrated in a premium letter, so its 9-point base score is easy to verify.

DAIMON uses the same six letters in a different order and is the sole anagram. DEMAIN is the sole one-letter neighbour: it changes the O to E while keeping the other letters in place.

The DOMAIN meaning is broad, but its exact-letter alternatives are surprisingly narrow. For tournament play, check your game’s word list; source coverage alone does not guarantee acceptance in every ruleset.

Rhymes with domain

All rhymes

One letter away

Change one letter, keep the rest
  • DEMAIN9

Questions people ask

Is DOMAIN a valid Scrabble word?
DOMAIN appears in the ENABLE, NWL2023, and Collins source lists. Those lists cover different game settings, so check the lexicon used at your table or in your app before playing it.
What is the only anagram of DOMAIN?
DAIMON is the only listed anagram of DOMAIN. It uses the same D, O, M, A, I, and N tiles, rearranged into a different order.
How many points is DOMAIN worth in Scrabble?
DOMAIN is worth 9 Scrabble points before any board bonuses. D contributes 2 points, M contributes 3, and each of O, A, I, and N contributes 1.

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