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
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
Kevin Pullein2
: the group or political party having the smaller number of votes
the Democratic/Republican minority in the Senate
—often used before another nouna 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
Isiah Thomas, quoted in Newsweeka minority student
a minority-owned business
—often used in pluralDoctors are struggling to comply with new federal guidelines requiring them to include more minorities in clinical trials …—Douglas Stanglin et al.
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
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
Michelle Morgan remains the chair in DARE’s new board structure, and becomes company director and minority shareholder of the business.
—Lexi Carson, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
Advocates hope that by being classified as a minority group, Middle Eastern people can get greater attention to their struggles.
—Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 6 Apr. 2024
Whatever the name of the airport, the services offered should not come at a disproportionate cost to the health of minority communities in East Oakland or exacerbate climate change.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
When the Hutu military begins enforcing ethnic cleansing against the Tutsi minority tribe, Paul, a Hutu himself, must shield his Tutsi wife and children.
—Rivea Ruff, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024
Allies are people with a majority identity (across any social identity, like gender, race, culture, and socioeconomic status) who stand up for those with minority identities and seek to address discrimination.
—Preeti Vani, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
Endeavor is a minority investor in Speechify, which makes text-to-speech technology.
—Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
But in Iraq's Nineveh Plains, where 10 years ago the Islamic State group killed and displaced thousands of minority Iraqis, hundreds of people celebrated Easter in a region that has had a Christian presence since around the time of Jesus.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 1 Apr. 2024
Dana Taylor: Redistricting has been an issue disenfranchising voters from representation in minority groups for decades.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
Lexi Carson, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024
Advocates hope that by being classified as a minority group, Middle Eastern people can get greater attention to their struggles.
—Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 6 Apr. 2024
Whatever the name of the airport, the services offered should not come at a disproportionate cost to the health of minority communities in East Oakland or exacerbate climate change.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024
When the Hutu military begins enforcing ethnic cleansing against the Tutsi minority tribe, Paul, a Hutu himself, must shield his Tutsi wife and children.
—Rivea Ruff, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024
Allies are people with a majority identity (across any social identity, like gender, race, culture, and socioeconomic status) who stand up for those with minority identities and seek to address discrimination.
—Preeti Vani, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
Endeavor is a minority investor in Speechify, which makes text-to-speech technology.
—Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
But in Iraq's Nineveh Plains, where 10 years ago the Islamic State group killed and displaced thousands of minority Iraqis, hundreds of people celebrated Easter in a region that has had a Christian presence since around the time of Jesus.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 1 Apr. 2024
Dana Taylor: Redistricting has been an issue disenfranchising voters from representation in minority groups for decades.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'minority.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to minority
Dictionary Entries Near minority
Cite this Entry
“Minority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minority. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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