majority

noun

ma·jor·i·ty | \ mə-ˈjȯr-ə-tē

, -ˈjär-\

plural majorities

Definition of majority

1a : a number or percentage equaling more than half of a total a majority of voters a two-thirds majority

b : the excess of a majority over the remainder of the total : margin won by a majority of 10 votes

c : the greater quantity or share the majority of the time

2a : the age at which full civil rights are accorded The age of majority in the U.S. is 18.

b : the status of one who has attained this age graduated … before he had attained his majority— W. L. Burrage

3 : the group or political party having the greater number of votes (as in a legislature)

4 : the military office, rank, or commission of a major majorities and colonelcies were thick as June blackberries— Dixon Wecter

5 obsolete : the quality or state of being greater

Other Words from majority Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about majority

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Synonyms & Antonyms for majority

Synonyms

bulk, generality, lion's share, mass, preponderance

Antonyms

minority

Examples of majority in a Sentence

A clear majority of the voters support the policy. The Republicans are currently the majority in the Senate.

Recent Examples on the Web

But 13 automakers—U.S., German, Japanese, and Korean—operate 21 plants in Mexico, the majority of which export cars to the United States. — Clifford Atiyeh, Car and Driver, "Every New Car That May Jump in Price from U.S. Tariffs on Mexican Imports," 3 June 2019 Since first entering the cultural lexicon in the mid-1970s, burnout has rapidly become an everyday reality for many—if not the majority—of those working a 9-to-5 job. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "Workplace Burnout Is Officially an “Occupational Phenomenon”—Here’s What You Can Do About It," 29 May 2019 As for fans, reactions to the out-of-left-field cancellation news have been mixed: Some feel sad, some expressed surprise, and an overwhelming majority had no idea the show still ran in the first place (sorry, Chris). — Blair Donovan, Country Living, "'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' Has Been Cancelled After 20 Years," 25 May 2019 During the election campaign, Modi played up the threat of Pakistan, India’s Muslim-majority neighbor and archrival, especially after the suicide bombing of a paramilitary convoy in Kashmir on Feb. 14 that killed 40 Indian soldiers. — Ashok Sharma, The Seattle Times, "India’s marathon election ends, vote count begins Thursday," 20 May 2019 But thankfully, pro-gun advocates are not the majority, so the lobby is forced to operate in silence. — Zac Fleming, Harper's BAZAAR, "New Zealand Banned Guns After Thoughts and Prayers. Why Can’t America?," 23 Mar. 2019 In November’s midterms, Trump’s Republicans lost the popular vote for the House of Representatives by 8.6 per cent — the biggest defeat for a majority party since records began in 1942. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "Why we can’t stop debating whether Facebook sells data," 14 Dec. 2018 Traditional suiting still reigns supreme, and while stars such as Billy Porter consistently push boundaries by wearing full-on gowns, the majority of famous gents stick with the status quo. — Vogue, "First Harry Styles, Now Cody Fern Is Freeing the Nipple," 19 May 2019 So the vast majority of us need to help our skin out at least once in a while with a moisturizer. — Sara Coughlin, SELF, "How to Find a Moisturizer That Won’t Leave Your Face a Greasy Mess," 15 May 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'majority.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for majority

majority

noun

English Language Learners Definition of majority

: a number that is greater than half of a total

: a number of votes that is more than half of the total number

: the group or party that is the greater part of a large group

See the full definition for majority in the English Language Learners Dictionary

majority

noun

ma·jor·i·ty | \ mə-ˈjȯr-ə-tē

plural majorities

Kids Definition of majority

1 : a number greater than half of a total

2 : a group or party that makes up the greater part of a whole body of people The majority chose a leader.

3 : the amount by which a number is more than half the total She won the election by a majority of 200 votes.

4 : the age at which a person has the full rights of an adult

majority

noun

ma·jor·i·ty | \ mə-ˈjȯr-ə-tē

plural majorities

Legal Definition of majority

1a : legal age

b : the status of one who has reached legal age

2a : a number or quantity greater than half of a total — compare plurality

b : the excess of a majority over the remainder of the total

3a : the group or political party whose votes predominate

b : the judges voting in a particular case who together determine the prevailing decision — see also majority opinion at opinion — compare dissent sense 3