majority
Pluralmajorities
- 1More than half of a group of people or things.
Like when more than half the kids in a class raise their hands.
A majority of the students voted to change the school name.
The majority agreed that the plan was a good one.
UsageUse are after the majority of + people or things: the majority of students are here.
Similarbulk, preponderance
Oppositeminority
Note
- 2The number of votes or seats by which a winner beats the other side.
Like winning a game by a few more points than the other team.
She won the seat with a majority of just 200 votes.
Their majority was only three seats after the final count.
UsageSay someone won with a majority of 200 votes.
Note
- 3The age when a person is treated as a full adult by law.
Like reaching the age when you can finally do things on your own.
When the twins reach their majority next year, they will inherit the farm.
He could not vote until he reached his majority.
UsageSay reach your majority or the age of majority. It sounds formal in everyday talk.
Oppositeminority
Note
Less common meanings
- 4The rank or job of a major, an officer in the army or other armed forces.
After eight years as a captain, she finally gained her majority.
His majority meant he now outranked every captain in the regiment.
UsageAn officer gets or earns a majority. This means becoming a major, not becoming an adult.
Note
- 5All the people in earlier generations of your family from whom you are descended.
Of evil parents an evil generation, a posterity not unlike their majority; of mischievous progenitors, a venomous and destructive progeny.
1650, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica
Practice
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Origin
It comes from Latin "maior," meaning "greater," and reached English through French.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Majority derives ultimately from Latin maior, meaning greater. en.wiktionary.org
- Majority reached English through French. en.wiktionary.org