A dominant chord is a type of chord that typically consists of a root note, a major third, a perfect fifth, and a minor seventh. It is often represented as a "V" chord in music theory, indicating its position as the fifth degree of a scale. Dominant chords create a sense of tension that usually resolves to the tonic chord, making them essential in establishing musical progression. In the context of Western music, dominant chords are crucial in genres like jazz, blues, and classical. They are often used to create a feeling of anticipation, leading listeners back to the home chord, or tonic. This resolution is a fundamental aspect of harmony and helps to define the structure of many musical pieces.