seniority

noun

se·​nior·​i·​ty sēn-ˈyȯr-ə-tē 

-ˈyär-

1

: the quality or state of being senior : priority

2

: a privileged status attained by length of continuous service (as in a company)

Examples of seniority in a Sentence

Promotions are based on merit and seniority.

a teacher with less seniority

He has worked here longer than I have, so he has seniority over me.

Recent Examples on the Web

Cultivate a collective owner's mindset that transcends job title, department and seniority. —Dr. Monika Sumra, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

Among its grievances, the union is seeking access to safe, clean bathrooms and clearer employee seniority lists, and is concerned with issues like rerouting of trucks, member productivity and terminations. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 14 May 2025

By their 50s, many Gen Xers expected to be earning their highest salaries, gaining seniority, maybe even paying off a mortgage. —Catherine Baab, Quartz, 22 Apr. 2025

By the end of the 1940s, union contracts ensured that workers got paid vacations and holidays, health insurance, and seniority rights. — Made By History, Time, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for seniority

• authority
• majority
• minority
• priority
• sonority
• sorority
• exteriority
• inferiority
• superiority

Kids Definition

seniority

noun

se·​nior·​i·​ty sēn-ˈyȯr-ət-ē 

-ˈyär-

1

: the quality or state of being senior

2

: a privileged position arrived at by length of service

Legal Definition

seniority

noun

se·​nior·​i·​ty sēn-ˈyȯr-ə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being senior

2

: the senior status attained by length of continuous service (as in a company)

also : the length of such continuous service