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

Joe Biden’s decision not to run for re-election prompted a reckoning in the caucus over age and seniority, with younger Democrats challenging more senior committee leaders at the end of the last Congress. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026

The perception in Maine—aggressively pushed by Collins—is that her seniority in the Senate keeps defense contracts flowing to the state. — Emma Green, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026

The seniority of the role is important, in that the candidate will need enough authority to challenge senior leaders and effectively advise them, according to Bill Margaritis, who led communications at FedEx for 15 years. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

High-agency employees who are resourceful—regardless of their level of seniority—can contribute to meaningful work whether as ICs or leaders, creating high-density teams that apply taste and knowledge to deliver best-in-class results. — Neda Nia, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 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