minority leader

American  

noun

1. the party member who directs the activities of the minority party on the floor of a legislative body, as of the U.S. Congress.

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minority leader Cultural  

1. The leader of the political party that holds a minority of seats in either house of Congress or of a state legislature. Selected by their own party caucus es, minority leaders act as chief spokespersons and strategists for their parties.

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Etymology

Origin of minority leader

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50

Example Sentences

And that’s particularly true of the strategies and tactics of the Senate minority leader quoted above: Harry Reid, who served as Democrats’ Senate leader from 2005 to 2017.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

"Good riddance," said Senate Democratic minority leader Chuck Schumer.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

Following the briefing, Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, gave a brief statement, saying: "This is serious, and the administration has to make its case to the American people."

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

The Senate minority leader made clear he thought Mr. Trump’s intervention was wrong.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2026

The next speaker is the Hon. George M. Palmer, minority leader of the Assembly.

From Modern Eloquence: Vol III, After-Dinner Speeches P-Z by Various