plurality
noun
plu·ral·i·ty
plu̇-ˈra-lə-tē 
plural pluralities
1
2
: pluralism sense 1
also
: a benefice held by pluralism
3
a
: a number greater than another
b
: an excess of votes over those cast for an opposing candidate
c
: a number of votes cast for a candidate in a contest of more than two candidates that is greater than the number cast for any other candidate but not more than half the total votes cast
Examples of plurality in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office were graded like an exam, a plurality of Americans would flunk him, according to new polling.
—
Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025
No other candidates crack double-digits and a plurality of 39% are undecided, the poll shows.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Only one age-gender group — men aged 35 to 54 — in the latest poll had a plurality that clearly preferred the Conservative Party, but that gap has also narrowed.
—Kaleigh Rogers, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Large demonstrations are a performance of plurality, with individuals transcending their own individuality to express a larger will.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plurality
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Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025
No other candidates crack double-digits and a plurality of 39% are undecided, the poll shows.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Only one age-gender group — men aged 35 to 54 — in the latest poll had a plurality that clearly preferred the Conservative Party, but that gap has also narrowed.
—Kaleigh Rogers, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
Large demonstrations are a performance of plurality, with individuals transcending their own individuality to express a larger will.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plurality
Cite this Entry
“Plurality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plurality. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
plurality
noun
plu·ral·i·ty
plu̇-ˈral-ət-ē
plural pluralities
1
: the state of being plural or numerous
2
a
: the greater number or part
a plurality of the nations want peace
b
: the number of votes by which one candidate wins over another
c
: a number of votes cast for a candidate in a contest of more than two candidates that is greater than the number cast for any other candidate but is not more than half the total votes cast
Legal Definition
plurality
noun
plu·ral·i·ty
plu̇-ˈra-lə-tē
plural pluralities
: an amount or group (as of votes) that is greater than any other amount or group within a total but that is not more than half
especially
: a group of justices on an appeals court who do not form a majority but with whose opinion enough other justices concur to render it the decision of the court see also plurality opinion at opinion compare majority
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