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

In the 2024 elections, voters in North and South Dakota rejected legalization measures, and Florida failed to achieve the necessary supermajority for approval. —Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025

Due to opposition from over a fourth of the neighbors surrounding the property, a supermajority of six votes is required to pass the zoning change. —Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2025

The proposal to change the state's constitution to legalize marijuana failed to reach the 60 percent supermajority required for adoption. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025

Bill 19-25 also requires that a supermajority of the Council support the change, entrenching minority rule. —Nick Stewart, Baltimore Sun, 31 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