minority

noun

mi·​nor·​i·​ty mə-ˈnȯr-ə-tē 

mī-,

-ˈnär-

plural minorities

1

a

: the smaller in number of two groups constituting a whole

The proposition was opposed by a minority of voters.

: a number or percentage equaling less than half of a total

a one-third minority

… a minority of votes can translate into a majority of seats.

—Carlos Lozada

b

: the smaller quantity or share

Teams in possession of the ball for a majority of the time have been no more likely to win than those in possession for a minority of the time.

—Kevin Pullein

2

: the group or political party having the smaller number of votes

the Democratic/Republican minority in the Senate

—often used before another noun

a U.S. Senate minority leader

3

a

: a part of a population thought of as differing from the rest of the population in some characteristics and often subjected to differential treatment

the country's ethnic minorities

minority communities

b

: a member of a minority group

"… Speaking as a minority, it's even more satisfying to see women have the chance to follow their dreams. …"

—Isiah Thomas, quoted in Newsweek

a minority student

a minority-owned business

—often used in plural

Doctors are struggling to comply with new federal guidelines requiring them to include more minorities in clinical trials …

—Douglas Stanglin et al.

4

a

: the period before a person reaches the age of majority (see majority sense 2a)

b

: the state of being a legal minor

Synonyms

• adolescence
• nonage

Examples of minority in a Sentence

The proposal is opposed by a minority of voters.

The Republicans are now the minority in the Senate.

The group is becoming an influential minority in the community.

Recent Examples on the Web

With the upgrade, Shaw moved into the bullish minority on Wall Street. —Alex Harring,fred Imbert, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2024

Read Next: The Best Deer Hunting Cartridges Nonresident deer hunters are also a minority customer base, so officials are more comfortable subjecting them to extreme price hikes and keeping resident deer hunters happy. —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 26 Sep. 2024

There have been a number of high-profile gifts in recent years to boost medical education among minorities, such as a $600 million commitment from Bloomberg Philanthropy in August to the endowments of four historically Black medical schools. —Tina Reed, Axios, 24 Sep. 2024

Community colleges enroll a large share of racial minorities, first-generation college-goers, and working-class Americans – people whose views and attitudes are reflected least often in new tech. —Shalin Jyotishi, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Phrases Containing minority

• in the minority
• minority leader

Kids Definition

minority

noun

mi·​nor·​i·​ty mə-ˈnȯr-ət-ē 

mī-,

-ˈnär-

plural minorities

1

: the state or period of being a legal minor

2

: the smaller number

especially : a group having less than the number of votes necessary for control

3

: a part of a population that differs from other groups in some characteristics and is often given unfair treatment

Legal Definition

minority

noun

mi·​nor·​i·​ty

plural minorities

1

a

: the period before attainment of majority

b

: the state of being a minor

2

: the smaller of two groups constituting a whole: as

a

: a group (as in a legislative body) having less than the number of votes necessary for control

b

: a group of judges among those hearing an appeal who disagree with the majority's judgment : dissent sense 3

c

: a group of jurisdictions taking a less widespread approach to or view of a legal question, issue, or problem

3

a

: a part of a population differing especially from the dominant group in some characteristics (as race, sex, or national origin) and often subject to differential treatment

b

: a member of a minority

an effort to hire more minorities