majority

Definition of majority

majority (noun): The greater number, quantity, or share of a group or set, often implying dominance or control by this larger portion.

Example: The majority of the board members voted in favor of the proposal, ensuring its approval despite some dissenting voices.

Best for: common-difficulty vocabulary; learners who already know "preponderance" or "superiority"; GRE Verbal (Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence); SAT Reading & Writing (Words in Context).

Origin of majority

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: majoritas

Original meaning: state of being greater

How it evolved: Originally used to denote 'superiority in size or importance,' the term took on its modern sense of numerical dominance in the 15th century.

The word 'majority' stems from the Latin root 'major,' meaning 'greater,' and evolved through Old French before entering English in the late Middle Ages.

First known use: 15th century

How to Remember majority

Think of 'majority' as being related to 'major'—the 'major' part or portion of something is the larger or more significant part.

Synonyms for majority

• preponderance
• superiority
• dominance
• plurality
• greater part
• lion's share
• mass
• bulk

Antonyms of majority

• minority
• fraction
• insignificance
• scantiness

majority in a Sentence

1. The majority of the board members voted in favor of the proposal, ensuring its approval despite some dissenting voices.
2. In democratic systems, decisions are often made based on the will of the majority, though minority rights are also protected.
3. The majority of the population supported the new policy, reflecting a shift in public opinion over the years.

majority in Literature & Culture

The concept of majority plays a pivotal role in democratic systems and has been referenced in foundational texts like 'The Federalist Papers' as well as in speeches advocating for civil rights and equality.

Usage Notes

The word 'majority' usually refers to a numerical advantage, but in legal or political contexts, it can also imply a group with decisive influence. Be careful not to confuse it with 'plurality,' which refers to the largest share without necessarily being more than half.

Why majority Matters for GRE & SAT

This word appears frequently in GRE reading passages, particularly those discussing politics, law, or social sciences, where understanding nuanced distinctions in majority rule is crucial.

Word Family

major (adjective)

Greater in size, extent, or importance.

majoritarian (adjective)

Relating to or governed by the majority.

majorly (adverb)

To a great extent; very much.

majoring (verb)

Specializing in a particular subject in studies or work.

Did You Know?

• The term 'silent majority' was popularized by U.S. President Richard Nixon in a 1969 speech to describe Americans who did not publicly express their opinions.
• In mathematics, the majority function is used in voting theory to determine the most common choice in a set.
• The phrase 'majority rules' is often used colloquially to emphasize democratic decision-making.

Related Words

• Mendacious — Not telling the truth; lying or dishonest.
• macabre — having a quality of horror or grimness
• magisterial — possessing great authority
• magnanimous — noble and generous in spirit
• magnify — To make something appear larger than it is; to intensify
• maintain — To cause or enable something to continue

More Vocabulary Words Starting with M

• Mendacious — Not telling the truth; lying or dishonest.
• macabre — having a quality of horror or grimness
• macabre — having a quality of horror or grimness
• magisterial — possessing great authority
• magisterial — possessing great authority
• magnanimous — noble and generous in spirit
• magnanimous — noble and generous in spirit
• magnify — To make something appear larger than it is; to intensify
• magnify — To make something appear larger than it is; to intensify
• maintain — To cause or enable something to continue