seniority
noun
se·nior·i·ty
sēn-ˈyȯr-ə-tē 
-ˈyär-
Examples of seniority in a Sentence
Promotions are based on merit and seniority.
a teacher with less seniority
He has worked here longer than I have, so he has seniority over me.
Recent Examples on the Web
There are 77 members in the administrative/clerical unit — which primarily includes housing specialists and office assistants — 64 of whom have 10 years or less of seniority, SEIU said.
—
Lizzie Kane, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
Their other concerns involve professional development and probation officer seniority issues.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 29 Jan. 2025
The House Democratic caucus’ selection of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) to be the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee was the most recent example of the party selecting age and seniority over newer ideas and options.
—Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Dec. 2024
All of this runs counter to the narrative — popular among Washington’s chattering class — that a young and restive crop of Democrats is clamoring to scrap the seniority system that’s guided the party’s committee-selection process for years.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for seniority
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Lizzie Kane, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
Their other concerns involve professional development and probation officer seniority issues.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 29 Jan. 2025
The House Democratic caucus’ selection of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) to be the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee was the most recent example of the party selecting age and seniority over newer ideas and options.
—Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Dec. 2024
All of this runs counter to the narrative — popular among Washington’s chattering class — that a young and restive crop of Democrats is clamoring to scrap the seniority system that’s guided the party’s committee-selection process for years.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for seniority
Cite this Entry
“Seniority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seniority. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
seniority
noun
se·nior·i·ty
sēn-ˈyȯr-ət-ē
-ˈyär-
1
: the quality or state of being senior
2
: a privileged position arrived at by length of service
Legal Definition
seniority
noun
se·nior·i·ty
sēn-ˈyȯr-ə-tē
1
: the quality or state of being senior
2
: the senior status attained by length of continuous service (as in a company)
also
: the length of such continuous service
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