supermajority

noun

su·​per·​ma·​jor·​i·​ty ˈsü-pər-mə-ˌjȯr-ə-tē 

-ˌjär-

plural supermajorities

: a majority (such as two-thirds or three-fifths) that is greater than a simple majority

treaty ratification requires a supermajority

Furthermore, it is about even money that soon after Congress convenes in January it will … approve a constitutional amendment to require supermajorities (three-fifths) in both houses of Congress to approve deficit spending.

—George F. Will

The company, for instance, has a supermajority clause in its articles of incorporation; 80% of the shareholders must approve any sale or merger.

—Joshua Hyatt

Examples of supermajority in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Masterson, who has spent the last six years thwarting Kelly’s will as a top legislative leader in Topeka’s Republican supermajority, is now highlighting examples of his bipartisan achievements and describing Holscher as a socialist. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026

The amendment needs the approval of a supermajority — 60% or more — to pass. — Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026

But that total increased to the current House supermajority of 102-49. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 29 Oct. 2026

With the backing of a Republican supermajority, Taylor, who is white, pushed through half a dozen laws that superseded the power and priorities of local politicians. — Wendi C. Thomas, ProPublica, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for supermajority

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

Legal Definition

supermajority

noun

su·​per·​ma·​jor·​i·​ty ˈsü-pər-mə-ˌjȯr-ə-tē 

: a large majority

a provision requiring a supermajority vote — say, 80 % of the common shares instead of the usual bare majority rule

—R. C. Clark