majority
noun
ma·jor·i·ty
mə-ˈjȯr-ə-tē 
-ˈjär-
plural majorities
1
a
: a number or percentage equaling more than half of a total
a majority of voters
a two-thirds majority
b
: the excess of a majority over the remainder of the total : margin
won by a majority of 10 votes
c
: the greater quantity or share
the majority of the time
2
a
: the age at which full civil rights are accorded
The age of majority in the U.S. is 18.
b
: the status of one who has attained this age
… graduated … before he had attained his majority …—
W. L. Burrage
W. L. Burrage3
: the group or political party having the greater number of votes (as in a legislature)
4
: the military office, rank, or commission of a major
Majorities and colonelcies were thick as June blackberries.—Dixon Wecter
Dixon Wecter5
obsolete
: the quality or state of being greater
majority
adjective
Examples of majority in a Sentence
A clear majority of the voters support the policy.
The Republicans are currently the majority in the Senate.
Recent Examples on the Web
Expelling a member of Congress -- which is a rare occurrence -- requires a two-thirds majority vote, a higher threshold than the simple majority needed to pass most legislation.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
The broadly pro-government Magyar Hírlap says Tisza could win as much as two thirds of the seats in the parliament, which would give the party a crucial constitutional majority.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
The city staff’s suggestions to rename the 67-year-old Brooks Street Swim Center and to choose a name for a new sensory garden at the El Corazon Senior Center failed to win the support of the council majority.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
The vast majority have been attempting to leave the Persian Gulf, but empty tankers are also needed inside, to be loaded with new cargoes.
—Weilun Soon, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for majority
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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John Parkinson, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
The broadly pro-government Magyar Hírlap says Tisza could win as much as two thirds of the seats in the parliament, which would give the party a crucial constitutional majority.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
The city staff’s suggestions to rename the 67-year-old Brooks Street Swim Center and to choose a name for a new sensory garden at the El Corazon Senior Center failed to win the support of the council majority.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
The vast majority have been attempting to leave the Persian Gulf, but empty tankers are also needed inside, to be loaded with new cargoes.
—Weilun Soon, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for majority
Cite this Entry
“Majority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/majority. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
majority
noun
ma·jor·i·ty
mə-ˈjȯr-ət-ē
-ˈjär-
plural majorities
1
a
: the age at which one is given full civil rights
b
: the status of one who has reached this age
2
a
: a number or percentage greater than half of a total
b
: the amount by which such a number exceeds the smaller number
won by a majority of seven
3
: the group or party that makes up the greater part of a whole body of persons
the majority in the senate
4
: the military office or rank of a major
Legal Definition
majority
noun
ma·jor·i·ty
mə-ˈjȯr-ə-tē
plural majorities
1
a
b
: the status of one who has reached legal age
2
a
: a number or quantity greater than half of a total compare plurality
b
: the excess of a majority over the remainder of the total
3
a
: the group or political party whose votes predominate
b
: the judges voting in a particular case who together determine the prevailing decision see also majority opinion at opinion compare dissent sense 3
majority
adjective
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