placed in or belonging to a lower order or rank.

of less importance; secondary.

subject to or under the authority of a superior.

subservient or inferior.

subject; dependent.

Grammar .

acting as a modifier, as when I finished, which is subordinate to They were glad in They were glad when I finished.

noting or pertaining to a subordinating conjunction.

Obsolete . submissive.

a subordinate person or thing.

to place in a lower order or rank.

to make secondary (usually fol. by to )

to subordinate work to pleasure.

to make subject, subservient, or dependent (usually fol. by to )

to subordinate passion to reason.