simple majority
Americannoun
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less than half of the total votes cast but more than the minimum required to win, as when there are more than two candidates or choices.
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less than half the number of voters registered.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After which, he must pass a confirmation vote in the Senate with a simple majority.
From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026
Warsh needs to secure simple majority votes from the committee and the whole Senate.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 30, 2026
Leaders of the group said it would reduce the budget deficit by $1 trillion and could pass with a simple majority.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 26, 2026
The proposal needs about 875,000 signatures to get on the November ballot, where it would need a simple majority to pass.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 10, 2026
Everyone knew, however, that Chicago was still 38 votes shy of the simple majority needed to win the fair.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.