seniority

noun

se·​nior·​i·​ty sēn-ˈyȯr-ə-tē 

-ˈyär-

1

: the quality or state of being senior : priority

2

: a privileged status attained by length of continuous service (as in a company)

Examples of seniority in a Sentence

Promotions are based on merit and seniority.

a teacher with less seniority

He has worked here longer than I have, so he has seniority over me.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some staffers whose jobs are cut could be reassigned, with priority given based on seniority; Superintendent Fabiola Bagula expected that to be the case for about half. —Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026

Green has faced concerns from within the party, which is increasingly unwilling to defer to seniority. —Dallas Morning News, 4 Mar. 2026

The foundation for success in Phoenix is secured, and it is not rooted in status, salary or seniority. —Jason Quick, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026

The engineers union has a reputation for wins at the bargaining table, including gaining seniority perks that boosted pay for longtime employees. —Yue Stella Yu feb. 22, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for seniority

• authority
• majority
• minority
• priority
• sonority
• sorority
• exteriority
• inferiority
• superiority

Kids Definition

seniority

noun

se·​nior·​i·​ty sēn-ˈyȯr-ət-ē 

-ˈyär-

1

: the quality or state of being senior

2

: a privileged position arrived at by length of service

Legal Definition

seniority

noun

se·​nior·​i·​ty sēn-ˈyȯr-ə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being senior

2

: the senior status attained by length of continuous service (as in a company)

also : the length of such continuous service