1 (often foll. by against, over) be victorious or gain mastery.
2 be the more usual or predominant.
3 exist or occur in general use or experience; be current.
4 (foll. by on, upon) persuade.
Phrases and idioms:
prevailing wind the wind that most frequently occurs at a place.
Derivatives:
prevailingly adv.
Etymology: ME f. L praevalere (as PRAE-, valere have power), infl. by AVAIL
Useful english dictionary. 2012.