minority
noun
mi·nor·i·ty
mə-ˈnȯr-ə-tē 
mī-,
-ˈnär-
plural minorities
1
a
: the smaller in number of two groups constituting a whole
The proposition was opposed by a minority of voters.
: a number or percentage equaling less than half of a total
a one-third minority
… a minority of votes can translate into a majority of seats.—
Carlos Lozada
Carlos Lozada
b
: the smaller quantity or share
Teams in possession of the ball for a majority of the time have been no more likely to win than those in possession for a minority of the time.—Kevin Pullein
Kevin Pullein2
: the group or political party having the smaller number of votes
the Democratic/Republican minority in the Senate
—often used before another nouna U.S. Senate minority leader
3
a
: a part of a population thought of as differing from the rest of the population in some characteristics and often subjected to differential treatment
the country's ethnic minorities
minority communities
b
: a member of a minority group
"… Speaking as a minority, it's even more satisfying to see women have the chance to follow their dreams. …"—Isiah Thomas, quoted in Newsweek
Isiah Thomas, quoted in Newsweeka minority student
a minority-owned business
—often used in pluralDoctors are struggling to comply with new federal guidelines requiring them to include more minorities in clinical trials …—Douglas Stanglin et al.
Douglas Stanglin et al.4
a
: the period before a person reaches the age of majority (see majority sense 2a)
b
: the state of being a legal minor
Examples of minority in a Sentence
The proposal is opposed by a minority of voters.
The Republicans are now the minority in the Senate.
The group is becoming an influential minority in the community.
Recent Examples on the Web
Terms and valuation were not disclosed, though recent minority transactions valued the team at $1.8 billion.
—Jesse Silvertown, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
There were split opinions over INEOS’s running of the club within our survey, but the majority of answers voiced displeasure at INEOS’s handling of Manchester United: 18.2 per cent of correspondents believe the minority investors to be performing at a five out of 10 level.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Though the novel’s primary setting was the Napoleonic invasion of Russia, in 1812, Tolstoy drew on his experiences as a soldier in the Crimean War (1853–1856), a military dispute over, officially, Russia’s desire to protect Orthodox minorities in Palestine.
—Casey Cep, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
Republicans haven’t won a statewide race since 2006, have only scant minorities in both legislative chambers, and hold just nine of California’s 52 House seats.
—Dain Fitzgerald, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for minority
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jesse Silvertown, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
There were split opinions over INEOS’s running of the club within our survey, but the majority of answers voiced displeasure at INEOS’s handling of Manchester United: 18.2 per cent of correspondents believe the minority investors to be performing at a five out of 10 level.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 7 June 2025
Though the novel’s primary setting was the Napoleonic invasion of Russia, in 1812, Tolstoy drew on his experiences as a soldier in the Crimean War (1853–1856), a military dispute over, officially, Russia’s desire to protect Orthodox minorities in Palestine.
—Casey Cep, New Yorker, 6 June 2025
Republicans haven’t won a statewide race since 2006, have only scant minorities in both legislative chambers, and hold just nine of California’s 52 House seats.
—Dain Fitzgerald, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for minority
Cite this Entry
“Minority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minority. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
minority
noun
mi·nor·i·ty
mə-ˈnȯr-ət-ē
mī-,
-ˈnär-
plural minorities
1
: the state or period of being a legal minor
2
: the smaller number
especially
: a group having less than the number of votes necessary for control
3
: a part of a population that differs from other groups in some characteristics and is often given unfair treatment
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