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

But any change to the Constitution requires a supermajority vote in Congress, and then ratification by three-quarters of the states. —Natalie Proulx, New York Times, 1 May 2025

Mariano and Spilka each have broad control over their respective chambers because Democrats hold a supermajority in both the House and Senate. —Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2025

Today, Democrats hold a supermajority in both chambers of the state legislature and every statewide office. —Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2025

Challenge is part of an effort to curb the 'administrative state' The Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority has, in recent years, curtailed executive agencies' authority. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025

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