minority

[ mahy-nawr-i-tee, -nor, mi- ]

noun

, plural mi·nor·i·ties.

1. the smaller part or number; a number, part, or amount forming less than half of the whole.
2. a smaller party or group opposed to a majority, as in voting or other action.
3. a group in society distinguished from, and less dominant than, the more numerous majority:

   The ethnic minority was disproportionately affected by the reduction in preventative medical services.

4. a racial, ethnic, religious, or social subdivision of a society that is subordinated in political, financial, or social power by the dominant group, without regard to the size of these groups:

   legislation aimed at providing equal rights for minorities.

5. a member of such a group.
6. the state or period of being under the legal age of full responsibility.

   Synonyms: girlhood, boyhood, childhood

adjective

1. of or relating to a minority.

minority

/ mɪ-; maɪˈnɒrɪtɪ /

noun

1. the smaller in number of two parts, factions, or groups
2. a group that is different racially, politically, etc, from a larger group of which it is a part
3. 1. the state of being a minor
   2. the period during which a person is below legal age Compare majority
4. modifier relating to or being a minority

   a minority opinion

   a minority interest

Other Words From

• non·mi·nor·i·ty adjective
• pro·mi·nor·i·ty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of minority¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English, from Middle French minorité, from Medieval Latin minōritāt-, stem of minōritās; minor, -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of minority¹

C16: from Medieval Latin minōritās, from Latin minor

Example Sentences

Another bright spot emerged in the park's south side, where villages from a traditional minority have been living since before Salonga National Park was established in 1970.

From Science Daily

Labour is in a minority in the Welsh Parliament and needs at least one other Senedd politician to support its spending plans to get them passed in a vote.

From BBC

From the start he has been leading an anomaly: a minority government whose very survival depended on the indulgence of its enemies.

From BBC

A minority of comments praised how the logo echoes that of the women's Six Nations which, having run alongside the men's event until 2021, now has its own calendar.

From BBC

Some extremists on the right have gone on shooting sprees targeting certain minority people and will link their concerns about immigration to a belief that they are protecting the environment.

From Salon

Related Words

• opposition