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 June, Clear Secure amended its certificate of incorporation to remove some supermajority vote requirements that could have served as a hurdle to a potential merger. — Justin Zacks, CNBC, 21 July 2026

Basabe narrowly flipped the Miami Beach seat from its former Democratic representation in 2022, helping Republicans solidify their supermajority in the state House. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

The resolution also includes a clause requiring a supermajority of five votes if the county is to participate in future TADs. — Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 16 July 2026

Major legislation required a supermajority, and amendments required unanimity. — Donovan Fifield, The Conversation, 16 July 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