supermajority

noun

su·​per·​ma·​jor·​i·​ty ˈsü-pər-mə-ˌjȯr-ə-tē 

-ˌjär-

plural supermajorities

: a majority (such as two-thirds or three-fifths) that is greater than a simple majority

treaty ratification requires a supermajority

Furthermore, it is about even money that soon after Congress convenes in January it will … approve a constitutional amendment to require supermajorities (three-fifths) in both houses of Congress to approve deficit spending.

—George F. Will

The company, for instance, has a supermajority clause in its articles of incorporation; 80% of the shareholders must approve any sale or merger.

—Joshua Hyatt

Examples of supermajority in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The bill complicates the school board election process, Randolph said, and the supermajority shouldn’t push the bill through. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025

In the last two legislative sessions, similar bills have failed to even get a hearing in the Democratic supermajority state legislature. —Jenavieve Hatch and, Sacramento Bee, 15 Feb. 2025

Any attempt to dismantle the department would require legislative approval, likely needing a 60-vote supermajority in the Senate, which is currently unlikely. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025

Both measures failed to get the 60% supermajority vote needed to pass. —Skyler Swisher, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for supermajority

• exteriority
• inferiority
• superiority
• authority
• majority
• minority
• priority
• seniority
• sonority
• sorority

Legal Definition

supermajority

noun

su·​per·​ma·​jor·​i·​ty ˈsü-pər-mə-ˌjȯr-ə-tē 

: a large majority

a provision requiring a supermajority vote — say, 80 % of the common shares instead of the usual bare majority rule

—R. C. Clark