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
Traditional career development models usually prioritize experience and seniority instead of considering employees' unique, natural abilities.
—
Divya Divakaran, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
The Russian official quoted on social media does not appear to have been granted the seniority to speak on behalf of the government.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
California’s two senators are Democrats without the powerful seniority that recent state members have had.
—David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 3 Jan. 2025
The challenge was unusual for a lawmaker with such little experience on Capitol Hill, and Democrats — who have a long tradition of honoring seniority — sent a strong message that those traditions still hold, siding with Dingell in a rout: 152-59.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for seniority 
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Divya Divakaran, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
The Russian official quoted on social media does not appear to have been granted the seniority to speak on behalf of the government.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
California’s two senators are Democrats without the powerful seniority that recent state members have had.
—David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 3 Jan. 2025
The challenge was unusual for a lawmaker with such little experience on Capitol Hill, and Democrats — who have a long tradition of honoring seniority — sent a strong message that those traditions still hold, siding with Dingell in a rout: 152-59.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for seniority
Dictionary Entries Near seniority
Cite this Entry
“Seniority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seniority. Accessed 6 Feb. 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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