minority

American  

[mahy-nawr-i-tee, -nor, mi-] / maɪˈnɔr ɪ ti, -ˈnɒr, mɪ- /

noun

• minorities
  plural

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

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adjective

1. of or relating to a minority.

minority British  

/ maɪˈnɒrɪtɪ, mɪ- /

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 interest

   a minority opinion

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonminority
  adjective
• prominority
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• minorities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of minority

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

Explanation

If you have eight pennies and twelve dimes, the minority — or smaller portion — of your coins are pennies. If you're left-handed, you are in the minority, because most people are right-handed. That means that right-handed people are the majority (the opposite of minority). Minority is typically used to refer to the smaller of two numbers being compared or to a group of people that is not predominant in a particular country or population. Less commonly, it refers to the time period before someone is of legal age.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

minority minorities

Myanmar has denied deliberately trying to destroy the minority Muslim population, with a government representative telling the court in January that the allegation was "unsubstantiated".

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

But the minority coalition failed to pass the measures in parliament, prompting Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to call the early vote on Monday.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

She is no longer on the board but remains a minority investor, according to Business Insider.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

The Dutch paint company said Monday that net cash proceeds after taxes and minority partners are expected to be about $1 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

It reinforced my belief that among white South Africans there was that small minority that really believed in love, freedom and human dignity for all.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane

Cohen also said 25% of her department’s contracts have gone to small businesses owned by women or minorities, a goal set by a 2023 state law.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

We aren’t victims, and we shouldn’t scapegoat other minorities or indulge in conspiracy theories.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

Punching down on trans people and other minorities is not acceptable.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

With 15 of the women appointed by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the lineup likely reflects the new authorities' keenness to demonstrate inclusivity following criticism that women and minorities have been under-represented in the country's post-war transition.

From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026

My team was made up largely of women and minorities, including several who came from immigrant families.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

• opposition