majority

noun

ma·​jor·​i·​ty mə-ˈjȯr-ə-tē How to pronounce majority (audio)
-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 majorityW. L. Burrage
3
: 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 blackberriesDixon Wecter
5
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 The ushers officially unionized in April 2023 after a majority expressed support in a National Labor Relations Board election. Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024 And while complications and side effects that can arise from taking semaglutide are (briefly) discussed, the majority of the special delivers a pro-medication perspective in the form of personal testimonials and advice from medical experts. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2024 The majority of global cocoa production is concentrated in the West African nations of Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Nigeria. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024 And Senate Democrats, with their one-vote majority, have helped. Jackie Calmes, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024 But Justice Amy Coney Barrett, joined by Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, filed a concurring opinion that seemed to express the majority’s bottom line. Adam Liptak, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 While majorities in preliminary exit poll data express loyalty toward Trump, the extent of intraparty challenges may matter in what’s expected to be a close contest in November. Gary Langer, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024 The beaches are the main allure of Los Cabos, taking up the vast majority of Tripadvisor's top 15 things to do. Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 19 Mar. 2024 Justice Amy Coney Barrett, in an opinion concurring with the majority's decision, wrote that the high court shouldn't second-guess the appeals court. Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'majority.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Time Traveler
The first known use of majority was in 1552

Dictionary Entries Near majority

Cite this Entry

“Majority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/majority. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

majority

noun
ma·​jor·​i·​ty mə-ˈjȯr-ət-ē How to pronounce majority (audio)
-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 How to pronounce majority (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on majority

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