supermajority

noun

su·​per·​ma·​jor·​i·​ty ˈsü-pər-mə-ˌjȯr-ə-tē How to pronounce supermajority (audio)
-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
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The lieutenant governor presides and can cast tie-breaking votes in the state Senate, though that’s exceedingly rare in California given Democrats’ legislative supermajority. Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026 To override a veto, the council would need to reach consensus of a two-thirds supermajority, requiring six out of eight members to vote together. Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 3 June 2026 There had been political whispers in South Windsor since the November election about whether the decision disqualifying Amadasun was part of a Republican ploy to keep Democrats from achieving a council supermajority. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2026 The Florida Legislature, which is controlled by a Republican supermajority, convened this week to decide whether to put the Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes resolution on the November ballot. Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for supermajority

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of supermajority was in 1915

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Cite this Entry

“Supermajority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supermajority. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

Legal Definition

supermajority

noun
su·​per·​ma·​jor·​i·​ty ˈsü-pər-mə-ˌjȯr-ə-tē How to pronounce supermajority (audio)
: a large majority
a provision requiring a supermajority vote — say, 80 % of the common shares instead of the usual bare majority ruleR. C. Clark
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