There are three different laws of dominance within biology: one in genetics, one in plant ecology, and one in animal behavior.

The genetics law of dominance states that when a dominant and recessive form of a gene come together, the dominant form masks the recessive form. Even though the recessive allele (or member of the gene pair) is still present, it is not visible.

Within plant ecology, the law of dominance refers to succession. At each stage of succession, a particular species has a greater impact on the immediate environment than any other. This is said to be the dominant species. The law of dominance states that the stages of succession proceed towards one final type of plant cover; for example, oaks in an oak woodland.

In animal behavior, the law of dominance says that the individual animal that is capable of winning aggressive encounters with other members of the group becomes the dominant animal in the group. This greater prominence within the group leads to many advantages for the dominant animal, such as greater choice of mates and food.