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minority

Syllabification: (mi·nor·i·ty)

Pronunciation: /məˈnôrətē/

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Definition of minority

noun (plural minorities)

1the smaller number or part, especially a number that is less than half the whole number:harsher measures for the minority of really serious offenders [as modifier]:a minority party
the number of votes cast for or by the smaller party in a legislative assembly:a blocking minority of 23 votes
a relatively small group of people, especially one commonly discriminated against in a community, society, or nation, differing from others in race, religion, language, or political persuasion:representatives of ethnic minorities [as modifier]:minority rights

2the state or period of being under the age of full legal responsibility.

Phrases

be (or find oneself) in a minority of one: often humorous be the sole person to be in favor of or against something.
in the minority: belonging to or constituting the smaller group or number:those who acknowledge his influence are certainly in the minority

Origin:

late 15th century (denoting the state of being a minor): from French minorité or medieval Latin minoritas, from Latin minor 'smaller' (see minor)

minority in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of minority in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

minority

noun (plural minorities)

Phrases

be (or find oneself) in a minority of one

in the minority

Origin:

minority in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for minority

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