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 of the employees whose positions were being cut could bump into a vacant position or receive a role based on seniority. —Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026

The layoffs impacted employees with a wide array of seniority, according to those involved and with knowledge of the plans. —Michael Wayland, CNBC, 12 May 2026

The staff union has also sought a wage scale that would increase with seniority. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026

In no country did the share of job-secure workers breach 38%, and even though job security rose slightly with seniority, still only 35% of C-suite executives felt their job was safe. —Claire Zillman, Fortune, 23 Apr. 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