minority

[mahy-nawr-i-tee, -nor, mi-]

noun

plural

minorities 

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

adjective

1. of or relating to a minority.

minority

/ mɪ-, maɪˈnɒrɪtɪ /

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

Other Word Forms

• nonminority adjective
• prominority adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of minority¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of minority¹

C16: from Medieval Latin minōritās, from Latin _minor

Example Sentences

As the Labour government only controls a minority in parliament, the proposal still needs to be approved by its partners in parliament before being passed.

Read more on Barron's

The group advocates for freedom of religion for Vietnam's hill tribes and ethnic minority groups, which have been branded "terrorists" by the authorities.

Read more on Barron's

Further investigation revealed a place of worship that evolved as Christians went from being a persecuted minority to enjoying the backing of the Roman Empire.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Dream Exchange, based in Chicago, had sought to list companies owned by minority entrepreneurs, pitching itself as a Nasdaq for Black-owned businesses.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"Seeing a lot of other ethnic minorities being able to play music just creates a community amongst everyone," she says.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• opposition