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

Ralston’s narrative of Reid’s first two years as minority leader, 2005 to 2006, suggests three considerations: attitude, actions, and communications.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

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

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

Among those who have opposed the name change is parliament's minority leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who called it a betrayal of the Volta Region, Kotoka's home.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

Speaking of Hakeem Jeffries, the house minority leader, he said that the two of you spoke this past weekend.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

Let John Sharp Williams, minority leader of the House of Representatives answer him.

From The Negro in the South His Economic Progress in Relation to his Moral and Religious Development by DuBois, W. E. Burghardt