prevailing /pɹɪˈveɪ.lɪŋ/ adjective2 •Predominant; of greatest force.The prevailing opinion was for additional planning time. •Prevalent, common, widespread.In Sydney at 9 am, by far the most prevailing wind is a westerly, particularly during the colder two-thirds of the year. — 1940 formsmore prevailing · most prevailing