plurality
noun
plu·ral·i·ty
plu̇-ˈra-lə-tē 
plural pluralities
1
2
: pluralism sense 1
also
: a benefice held by pluralism
3
a
: a number greater than another
b
: an excess of votes over those cast for an opposing candidate
c
: a number of votes cast for a candidate in a contest of more than two candidates that is greater than the number cast for any other candidate but not more than half the total votes cast
Examples of plurality in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Just over half of voters supported providing the healthcare to eligible immigrants 50 years old or above, and a plurality — 49% — favored providing the coverage to adults between the ages of 18 and 49.
—
Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Additionally, a plurality, 31%, said the present period is the least politically stable, easily outstripping the 17% who selected the Civil War.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025
One item remains more positive for Trump than the rest of his trade policy so far: targeted tariffs on China, as a plurality of Americans view China as an adversary that benefits more from trade than the US.
—Christian Paz, Vox, 2 May 2025
In the last election in 2021, the Liberals won 160 seats, a plurality, short of the 170 seats required that year for a majority.
—The Editors, National Review, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plurality
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Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Additionally, a plurality, 31%, said the present period is the least politically stable, easily outstripping the 17% who selected the Civil War.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025
One item remains more positive for Trump than the rest of his trade policy so far: targeted tariffs on China, as a plurality of Americans view China as an adversary that benefits more from trade than the US.
—Christian Paz, Vox, 2 May 2025
In the last election in 2021, the Liberals won 160 seats, a plurality, short of the 170 seats required that year for a majority.
—The Editors, National Review, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plurality
Cite this Entry
“Plurality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plurality. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
plurality
noun
plu·ral·i·ty
plu̇-ˈral-ət-ē
plural pluralities
1
: the state of being plural or numerous
2
a
: the greater number or part
a plurality of the nations want peace
b
: the number of votes by which one candidate wins over another
c
: a number of votes cast for a candidate in a contest of more than two candidates that is greater than the number cast for any other candidate but is not more than half the total votes cast
Legal Definition
plurality
noun
plu·ral·i·ty
plu̇-ˈra-lə-tē
plural pluralities
: an amount or group (as of votes) that is greater than any other amount or group within a total but that is not more than half
especially
: a group of justices on an appeals court who do not form a majority but with whose opinion enough other justices concur to render it the decision of the court see also plurality opinion at opinion compare majority
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