To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Definition of seniority rule
1 : a rule in the U.S. Congress by which members have their choice of committee assignments in order of rank based solely on length of service
2 : a rule in the U.S. Congress by which the member of the majority party who has served longest on a committee receives the chairmanship
Comments on seniority rule
What made you want to look up seniority rule? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Semantic Drift Quiz
- Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share seniority rule