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
The House majority in 2020 moved to largely close its caucus meetings, a break from years of tradition to hold them openly.
—Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025
If American society was truly merit-based and colorblind — as people of color strongly favor — how does the author explain how most CEOs, billionaires, millionaires and Ivy League students have been and still are majority White?
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
When senators could still filibuster judicial and executive branch nominees, the ranking member worked with the majority party to find palatable candidates who could get a 60-vote supermajority to be confirmed by the Senate.
—Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
The award was given out during the Grammys’ pre-telecast Premiere Ceremony, in which the vast majority of the night’s honors are handed out prior to the performance-heavy prime-time telecast.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for majority 
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Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025
If American society was truly merit-based and colorblind — as people of color strongly favor — how does the author explain how most CEOs, billionaires, millionaires and Ivy League students have been and still are majority White?
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
When senators could still filibuster judicial and executive branch nominees, the ranking member worked with the majority party to find palatable candidates who could get a 60-vote supermajority to be confirmed by the Senate.
—Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
The award was given out during the Grammys’ pre-telecast Premiere Ceremony, in which the vast majority of the night’s honors are handed out prior to the performance-heavy prime-time telecast.
—Thania Garcia, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for majority
Articles Related to majority
Dictionary Entries Near majority
Cite this Entry
“Majority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/majority. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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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