prevailing

/pri-ˈvāl/

Middle English, from Latin praevalēre, from prae- pre- + valēre to be strong

verb

  1. to gain ascendancy through strength or superiority : triumph

  2. to be or become effective or effectual

  3. to use persuasion successfully

noun

  1. the usual wind in an area or region —used to refer to the direction of the wind