majority

ma-jor-i-ty · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The greater number or part of something.

  2. 2.

    The number by which votes for one side exceed those for the other.

  3. 3.

    The age at which a person legally becomes an adult.

  4. 4.

    The state of being the greater in number.

Forms

plural: majorities

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    the majority of — Most of.
  • •
    silent majority — The large group of people who do not express opinions publicly.
  • •
    absolute majority — More than half the total votes.
  • •
    majority rule — Decision by the greater number.
  • •
    in the majority — Being the larger group.

Related words

Antonyms: minority
See also: bulk, major, minority, most, plurality
Synonyms: bulk, most, preponderance

Etymology

From Medieval Latin majoritas ("superiority, the greater number"), from Latin major ("greater"). The word entered English in the 16th century, initially in the sense of "superiority."