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
That’s kind of the majority of what Jax’s involvement is.
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
The nickel corner is an increasingly important position in the NFL, where defenses now typically use five defensive backs the majority of the time.
—Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
All-Star events are attended covertly and the main goal is gathering player surveys
The Rams don’t send the majority of their front office and scouting staff, nor any coaches, to All-Star offseason events such as the East-West Shrine Bowl, scouting combine or Senior Bowl.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Starlink satellites, according to McDowell, make up the majority of stuff that falls back to Earth these days, and their numbers are only going to grow.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for majority
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.
Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
The nickel corner is an increasingly important position in the NFL, where defenses now typically use five defensive backs the majority of the time.
—Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
All-Star events are attended covertly and the main goal is gathering player surveys
The Rams don’t send the majority of their front office and scouting staff, nor any coaches, to All-Star offseason events such as the East-West Shrine Bowl, scouting combine or Senior Bowl.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Starlink satellites, according to McDowell, make up the majority of stuff that falls back to Earth these days, and their numbers are only going to grow.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for majority
Cite this Entry
“Majority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/majority. Accessed 22 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share