/ prɪˈveɪlɪŋ; NAmE / adjective [ only before noun ]
1.
existing or most common at a particular time
SYN current , predominant :
the prevailing economic conditions
the attitude towards science prevailing at the time
The prevailing view seems to be that they will find her guilty.
2.
the prevailing wind in an area is the one that blows over it most frequently