ScienceJuly 14, 2026
preponderance
/prɪˈpɒndərəns/
Definition
A superiority in weight, power, importance, or, in this context, the vast majority amount of something.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'praeponderare,' meaning 'to outweigh.' It entered English through the combination of 'prae-' (before) and 'ponderare' (to weigh).
In the news
The article uses 'preponderance' to highlight that the federal government, not philanthropy, provides the overwhelming majority of funding for space science research. It emphasizes that while private funders are important, they cannot replace the scale of federal support.
10 Philanthropic Funders Powering Space Science
Read the full article ↗Inside Philanthropy