majority

Pronunciation: /məˈdʒɒrɪti/

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Definition of majority

noun (plural majorities)

1the greater number:in the majority of cases all will go smoothly [as modifier]:it was a majority decision
British the number by which the votes cast for one party or candidate exceed those for the next:Labour retained the seat with a majority of 9,830
a party or group receiving the greater number of votes.
US the number by which votes for one candidate are more than those for all other candidates together.

2 [mass noun] the age at which a person is legally a full adult, usually either 18 or 21: kids get control of the money when they reach the age of majority

3the rank or office of a major.

Phrases

be in the majority: belong to or constitute the larger group or number: publishing houses where women are in the majority

Origin:

mid 16th century (denoting superiority): from French majorité, from medieval Latin majoritas, from Latin major (see major)

Strictly speaking, majority should be used with countable nouns to mean ‘the greater number’, as in the majority of cases. Use with uncountable nouns to mean ‘the greatest part’, as in I spent the majority of the day reading, is not considered good standard English, although it is common in informal contexts.

majority in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of majority in the US English dictionary

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Other

majority

noun (plural majorities)

Phrases

be in the majority

Origin:

majority in other Oxford dictionaries

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