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 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>