seniority

[ seen-yawr-i-tee, -yor- ]

noun

, plural sen·ior·i·ties

1. the state of being senior; priority of birth; superior age.
2. priority, precedence, or status obtained as the result of a person's length of service, as in a profession, trade, company, or union:

   First choice of vacation time will be given to employees with seniority.

seniority

/ ˌsiːnɪˈɒrɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state of being senior
2. precedence in rank, etc, due to senior status

seniority

1. Length of service on a job. Seniority may be considered in making decisions about wages , layoffs , and other working conditions.

Word History and Origins

Origin of seniority¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin seniōritās, equivalent to Latin senior senior + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

With Schiff’s election, California will have two male senators for the first time since the early 1990s, neither with much seniority.

From Los Angeles Times

The president need only give a 60-day notice and explain the order of the firings, for instance, whether seniority or veterans’ service will grant some protection.

From New York Times

In a society that puts so much emphasis on seniority, Mr Tsuji's surname was crucial to his ability to make major changes at Sanrio.

From BBC

It isn’t surprising the Gambling Commission would have wanted to speak to the former deputy prime minister, given the seniority of his position at the time within the government and the Conservative Party.

From BBC

Claiming seniority, Dumas went into Bongo’s office first.

From BBC

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