n.
(pl. majorities)
- the greater number.
- Brit. the number by which the votes cast for one party or candidate exceed those for the next.
▸US the number by which votes for one candidate are more than those for all other candidates together.
- the age when a person is legally a full adult, usually either 18 or 21.
- the rank or office of a major.
Usage
In its main sense, ‘the greater number’, majority should be used with countable nouns: the majority of cases. Use with uncountable nouns to mean ‘the greatest part’ (she ate the majority of the meal) should be avoided in standard English.
Etymology
C16 (denoting superiority): from Fr. majorité, from med. L. majoritas, from L. major (see major).
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