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 Contra Despite the electorate’s increasingly Democratic leanings, Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers of the legislature, giving it the power to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes. Sara Dorn, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 Between the lines: Most changes (20) are backed by a council supermajority, meaning nine or more of its 13 members support the amendments — enough to override a mayoral veto — and are more likely to pass. Esteban L. Hernandez, Axios, 15 Oct. 2024 Republicans in Nebraska have wanted to return to a winner-take-all rule for years but have been unable to get to a legislative supermajority. John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2024 For the legislature’s Republican supermajority, the ruling comes as another court setback. Karin Brulliard, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for supermajority 

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 31 Oct. 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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