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

As speaker, Bacon will oversee a 49-member Democratic supermajority in the House when the legislature reconvenes early next year. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026

Democrats that year won just 55% of votes cast, but a supermajority of seats — 78 of 118. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026

That win, with another flip for Democrats in the 30th District in Springfield, broke the long-standing Republican supermajority in the Senate. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026

Nevada Democrats will also gain a supermajority in the Assembly. — Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 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