plurality

noun

plu·​ral·​i·​ty plu̇-ˈra-lə-tē 

plural pluralities

1

a

: the state of being plural

b

: the state of being numerous

c

: a large number or quantity

2

: pluralism sense 1

also : a benefice held by pluralism

3

a

: a number greater than another

b

: an excess of votes over those cast for an opposing candidate

c

: a number of votes cast for a candidate in a contest of more than two candidates that is greater than the number cast for any other candidate but not more than half the total votes cast

Examples of plurality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a March 2024 Harvard Institute of Politics poll, 35% of 18-29 year olds thought running for office was an honorable thing to do, while 20% disagreed (a 42% plurality neither agreed nor disagreed). —Karlyn Bowman, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

But a plurality of market participants believe the Fed will need to come down by at least 1.5% over its next four meetings based on current economic conditions. —Rob Wile, NBC News, 18 Sep. 2024

About 3 in 10 (31%) Americans believe Israel’s military operations in Gaza are going too far, a slight increase from last December, according to a new Pew Research Center poll, which shows a plurality of Americans, 36% to be exact, are unsure about Israel’s handling of its war with Hamas. —Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024

Prior to the war, Fatah commanded a small plurality in the same poll (26-22 percent). —Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

plurality

noun

plu·​ral·​i·​ty plu̇-ˈral-ət-ē 

plural pluralities

1

: the state of being plural or numerous

2

a

: the greater number or part

a plurality of the nations want peace

b

: the number of votes by which one candidate wins over another

c

: a number of votes cast for a candidate in a contest of more than two candidates that is greater than the number cast for any other candidate but is not more than half the total votes cast

Legal Definition

plurality

noun

plu·​ral·​i·​ty plu̇-ˈra-lə-tē 

plural pluralities

: an amount or group (as of votes) that is greater than any other amount or group within a total but that is not more than half

especially : a group of justices on an appeals court who do not form a majority but with whose opinion enough other justices concur to render it the decision of the court see also plurality opinion at opinion compare majority