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 Changing the rule required a two-thirds’ supermajority of members to vote in favor. Michael Charboneau, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 The Legislature, which has a Republican supermajority in both houses, rapidly advanced a flood of bills. Rick Rojas, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 The GOP holds all major state offices and has a supermajority in both chambers of the state Legislature. Kevin Collier, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2024 The bill faces a likely uphill climb in the Legislature, with Democrats controlling a supermajority in both houses and criminal justice reform proponents in control of key committees. Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 20 Feb. 2024 Currently, the GOP has a supermajority in the Senate and a near supermajority in the Assembly. Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 16 Feb. 2024 Woodland voters appear on track to soundly reject a flood control measure, while the renewal of a parcel tax to generate funding for Davis Joint Unified School District was sitting very close to the supermajority required to pass. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 The Indiana House gave the measure final approval Tuesday, almost exclusively with the support of the Republican supermajority. The Indianapolis Star, 6 Mar. 2024 Some political observers had suggested that voters might turn on Cotham after her daughter, state Rep. Tricia Cotham, switched parties last year, giving Republicans a supermajority in the state House. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'supermajority.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 28 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!