Minority meaning

mə-nôr'ĭ-tē, -nŏr'-, mī-
The definition of a minority is a group of people that differ in some way from the majority of the population, or any part of a whole that is smaller than the other parts.

When you own less than 50 percent of a building, this is an example of a time when you own a minority interest.

A person from a non-Caucasian race is an example of a minority.

noun
17
5
The state of being a minor; youth, the period of a person's life prior to reaching adulthood. [from 15th c.]
noun
4
2
Any subgroup that does not form a numerical majority. [from 18th c.]

Most people agreed, but a sizable minority were upset by the decision.

noun
4
2
A group of less than half of eligible voters.
noun
4
3
Of or having to do with a group, political party, etc. that constitutes a minority.
adjective
3
4
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The lesser part or smaller number; less than half of a total.
noun
2
4
The state or period of being younger than the age for legal adulthood.

Still in her minority.

noun
1
0
(US) A member of an ethnic minority. [from 20th c.]

The company claims it has hired several minorities since the complaint was lodged.

noun
1
1
A group, party, or faction with a smaller number of votes or adherents than the majority.
noun
1
2
(politics, used attributively of a party, government, etc.) Empowered by or representing a minority (usually a plurality) of votes cast, legislative seats, etc., rather than an outright majority thereof.
noun
1
2
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The period or condition of being under full legal age.
noun
0
0
An ethnic, religious, or other defined group of people who may face discrimination from the majority as a result of their differences.
noun
0
0
The condition of not yet being of legal age.
noun
0
0

Origin of minority

  • French minorité from Medieval Latin minōritās from Latin minor smaller minor
    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
  • From Middle French minorité, and its source Late Latin minoritas, from Latin minor.
    From Wiktionary

Minority Sentence Examples

  • His minority was a time of anarchy.

  • But how do the poor minority fare?

  • assigned him no share in the government during the minority of Charles VI.

  • In 14 other counties, on the linguistic frontier, they are either in a small majority or a considerable minority (61.6% in Szatmar, 18.9% in Torontal).

  • Fredericks long minority was occupied by Innocents pontificate.

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Words near minority in the Dictionary