1.verbTo be superior in strength, dominance, influence or frequency; to have or gain the advantage over others; to have the upper hand; to outnumber others.
"Red colour prevails in the Canadian flag."
2.verbTo be current, widespread or predominant; to have currency or prevalence.
"In his day and age, such practices prevailed all over Europe."
3.verbTo succeed in persuading or inducing.
"I prevailed on him to wait."
4.verbTo avail.
5.adjectivePredominant; of greatest force.
"The prevailing opinion was for additional planning time."