absolute majority

American  

noun

1. a number of votes constituting more than half of the number cast.

2. a number of voters constituting more than half of the number registered.

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absolute majority British  

noun

1. a number of votes totalling over 50 per cent, such as the total number of votes or seats obtained by a party that beats the combined opposition Compare relative majority

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Example Sentences

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absolute majority

Mitsotakis's conservative party leads in opinion polls, but is not expected to secure an absolute majority.

From Barron's ● Apr. 3, 2026

If none achieve that in the first round, the candidate with the fewest votes will be eliminated, and additional rounds will then be conducted until someone has an absolute majority.

From BBC ● Mar. 19, 2025

Election results on Saturday showed that the party had fallen short of winning an absolute majority for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994.

From New York Times ● Jun. 2, 2024

Unlike in many Latin American nations, there is no second round in Mexican elections: Whoever receives a plurality of votes is declared the winner, whether or not he or she garners an absolute majority.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 30, 2024

Senators chosen by the Assembly were to be elected by scrutin de liste and by an absolute majority of votes.

From The Governments of Europe by Ogg, Frederic Austin