minority
Pronunciation
  • (RP) IPA: /maɪˈnɒɹ.ɪ.ti/, /mɪˈnɒɹ.ɪ.ti/
  • (GA) IPA: /maɪˈnɔɹ.ɪ.ti/, /mɪˈnɔɹ.ɪ.ti/
  • (NYC) IPA: /maɪˈnɑɹ.ɪ.ti/, /mɪˈnɑɹ.ɪ.ti/
Noun

minority

  1. The state of being a minor; youth, the period of a person's life prior to reaching adulthood. [from 15th c.]
    • 2011, Norman Davies, Vanished Kingdoms, Penguin 2012, p. 117:
      She also played a key role as dowager-regent during the minority of her son.
    Synonyms: childhood
    Antonyms: adulthood
  2. Any subgroup that does not form a numerical majority. [from 18th c.]
    Most people agreed, but a sizable minority were upset by the decision.
    • 2017 August 25, "Arrest threat as Yingluck Shinawatra misses verdict ↗", in aljazeera.com, Al Jazeera
      The case is the latest chapter in a decade-long struggle by the nation's elite minority to crush the powerful political machine founded by Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in another coup in 2006.
    Antonyms: majority
  3. (politics, used attributively of a party, government, etc.) Empowered by or representing a minority (usually a plurality) of votes cast, legislative seats, etc., rather than an outright majority thereof.
  4. (US) A member of an ethnic minority. [from 20th c.]
    The company claims it has hired several minorities since the complaint was lodged.
Related terms Translations Translations Adjective

minority

  1. Of or relating to a minority.
    They hold a minority interest in the company.



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