# majority

/məˈdʒɔɹəti/ (US) · /mədʒˈɒɹɪtˌi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/majority
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. more than half

noun · CEFR B2

more than half of a total number or amount.

For teachers: a number or percentage equaling more than half of a total. Often used with 'of' and followed by a plural noun.

- The majority of the students in the class decided to go on the field trip.
- The vast majority of respondents expressed a preference for remote work, citing the lack of a commute as the primary benefit.

Usage: When followed by a plural noun, the verb is typically plural in British English and often singular in American English.

### 2. election gap

noun · CEFR B2

the number of votes or seats by which one person or party wins an election.

For teachers: the margin by which a candidate or party wins an election, or the number of seats held by a government exceeding those of the opposition.

- She won the local election with a majority of over two thousand votes.
- The government's slim majority made it difficult to pass controversial legislation without the support of smaller parties.

### 3. legal adulthood

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the age when a person is legally considered an adult.

For teachers: the status or age of legal adulthood, at which a person becomes legally responsible for their own actions.

- In many countries, young people reach their majority at the age of eighteen.
- Upon attaining his majority, the heir was finally granted full control over the family estate and its various investments.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'attain one's majority' or 'age of majority'.

## Examples

- The majority of the students passed the exam.
- The committee reached a decision because the majority of members voted in favor of the new policy.
- While the majority of the population supported the infrastructure project, a vocal minority raised significant concerns regarding its long-term environmental impact on the local wetlands.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.