The word has been used to describe periods in ancient Greek history, and also in more recent times to describe regional domination by local powers, and is used to describe the United States' role as the sole superpower in the modern world.

to be written: the idea of "hegemony" in Marxist theory.

See also:

• the Spartan hegemony (404 BC - 371 BC)
• the Theban hegemony (371 BC - 362 BC)