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

But there’s no defensible worldview in which presidents should be chosen by a cockamamie system that gives small states disproportionate weight and throws all votes in almost every state to whoever wins their plurality. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025

China was rarely mentioned then, but for more than 30 years now, majorities or strong pluralities of Americans have told pollsters that China cheats. —Karlyn Bowman, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

Not to a person, not even to electoral majorities, or pluralities. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 15 Jan. 2025

For the 2020 redistricting cycle, Republican lawmakers drew maps in a plurality of states, while independent commissions drew a fifth and Democratic lawmakers drew just more than 10 percent. —Jared Gans, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2025

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