Alex's definition is right on, although the word isn't limited to the psychological or cultural aspects of power or ideas. In international relations theory there exists one of my favorite nonsense-sounding terms: when talking about a global political structure where there is one superpower that keeps things from going completely to pieces (e.g. England in the 19th century, some might say the U.S. in the 20th century), the term used is "hegemonic stability." Always loved the sound of it, and the fact that it probably means nothing it all except to a small group of academics.

I guess Anu is the hegemon of AWAD, eh?