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
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.
Political conservatives are in power at the national level and the Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority has demonstrated openness to blurring church-state separation. Jacob Gurvis, Sun Sentinel, 26 Nov. 2024 Across surveys, a supermajority of the country support policies to protect poor people and the climate. Jamil Zaki, TIME, 23 Nov. 2024 In Indiana, despite polls at one point showing close matchups, the statewide races for governor and attorney general ended up being blow-out wins for Republicans, and Democrats did not flip any seats in the Statehouse, leaving the General Assembly dominated by a Republican supermajority. Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Nov. 2024 Democratic hopes of flipping Florida’s U.S. Senate seat and clawing back enough districts to end the Republican supermajority in Tallahassee were dashed Tuesday, as the state solidified its status as a red bastion. Steven Lemongello, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near supermajority

Cite this Entry

“Supermajority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supermajority. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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