majority

noun

ma·​jor·​i·​ty mə-ˈjȯr-ə-tē How to pronounce majority (audio)
-ˈjär-
plural majorities
Synonyms of majoritynext
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 blackberries.Dixon 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By the end of that format’s 12-year run, including several instances in which the best overall driver of the year was shut out from the title or even competing in the championship race, a majority of fans and drivers were more than ready for something else. Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026 Takaichi was betting with this election that her LDP party, together with its new partner, the JIP, would secure a majority. Mari Yamaguchi, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026 The events’ contrasts are emblematic of the shift on immigration — in rhetoric and, to some degree, in policy — among Colorado’s majority Democrats after a year of unprecedented enforcement. Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026 Takaichi was betting that her LDP party, together with its new partner, the JIP, would secure a majority. Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for majority

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Time Traveler
The first known use of majority was in 1552

Cite this Entry

“Majority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/majority. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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

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