Main Entry:

mi·nor·i·ty

Pronunciation:

\mə-ˈnȯr-ə-tē, mī-, -ˈnär-\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural mi·nor·i·ties

Usage:

often attributive

Date:

15th century

1 a: the period before attainment of majority b: the state of being a legal minor2: the smaller in number of two groups constituting a whole ; specifically : a group having less than the number of votes necessary for control3 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>