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

The most practically useful thing would be for the Republicans to try to break the Democratic supermajority in the California Legislature. — Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 19 June 2026

As in the Assembly on Monday, Republicans spoke vehemently against the taxes but had little chance at fracturing the Democrat supermajority. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026

Tennessee's ivermectin bill was shepherded by a Republican supermajority in 2022. — ABC News, 17 June 2026

The bylaws indicate that Texas Tech would need to have an opportunity to be heard and that a supermajority vote of other member schools would be required. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 June 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