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

There's also a dispute over the legislative mechanics of a new marijuana tax — Schneider said because Michigan's marijuana laws were established by a ballot proposal, any legislative action would need a supermajority, or three-quarters vote, to alter them. —Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 27 Sep. 2025

The Republican supermajority in Kentucky's legislature has acknowledged mounting risk of severe weather to Kentuckians. —Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025

Caldwell will also be tasked with recruiting candidates to help Republicans chip away at Democrats’ near-supermajority. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025

And 72%, a supermajority, believe that shouting down speakers so they can’t be heard is OK. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025

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