seniority
noun
se·nior·i·ty
sēn-ˈyȯr-ə-tē 
-ˈyär-
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
Strategic and critical thinking are valuable no matter the level of seniority, as is empathy, as marketing is all about connecting with an audience by understanding their needs and motivations.
—
Christine Pilkington, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Trevor Norris, deputy assistant secretary for human resources at the Treasury Department, said in court filings that reinstated workers who lack seniority would be disproportionately affected in the upcoming RIF.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
The employees involved are not part of a union and do not have the right to displace workers with less seniority.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2025
In an early 1940s scene from The Years of Lyndon Johnson: The Path to Power, the first book of Robert Caro’s four-volume (so far) biography about the late president, the then-House member vents frustration early at the chamber’s strict seniority system.
—David Mark, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seniority
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Christine Pilkington, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Trevor Norris, deputy assistant secretary for human resources at the Treasury Department, said in court filings that reinstated workers who lack seniority would be disproportionately affected in the upcoming RIF.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
The employees involved are not part of a union and do not have the right to displace workers with less seniority.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2025
In an early 1940s scene from The Years of Lyndon Johnson: The Path to Power, the first book of Robert Caro’s four-volume (so far) biography about the late president, the then-House member vents frustration early at the chamber’s strict seniority system.
—David Mark, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for seniority
Cite this Entry
“Seniority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seniority. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share