minority

mi·nor·i·ty

noun, often attributive \mə-ˈnȯr-ə-tē, mī-, -ˈnär-\

plural mi·nor·i·ties

Definition of MINORITY

1

a : the period before attainment of majority b : the state of being a legal minor

2

: the smaller in number of two groups constituting a whole; specifically : a group having less than the number of votes necessary for control

3

a : a part of a population differing from others in some characteristics and often subjected to differential treatment b : a member of a minority group <an effort to hire more minorities>

Examples of MINORITY

1. The proposal is opposed by a minority of voters.
2. The Republicans are now the minority in the Senate.
3. The group is becoming an influential minority in the community.

First Known Use of MINORITY

15th century

Related to MINORITY

Synonyms: adolescence, nonage

Related Words: boyhood, girlhood, preadolescence, youth; bloom, flush, heyday, prime; majority, maturity; manhood, womanhood; babyhood, infancy

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Other Sociology Terms

bourgeois, ethos, eugenics, exurb, incommunicado, intelligentsia, megalopolis, metrosexual, mores, subculture

Rhymes with MINORITY

majority, priority, seniority, sonority, sorority