Dictionary

minority

Etymology

From Middle French minorité, and its source Late Latin minōritās, from Latin minor.

Morphologically minor + -ity

Pronunciation

Noun

minority

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, published 2012, page 117:
  She also played a key role as dowager-regent during the minority of her son.
Synonyms: childhood
Antonyms: adulthood
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
(US) A member of an ethnic minority. [from 20th c.]
The company claims it has hired several minorities since the complaint was lodged.
(sociology) A group of people seen as distinct who are subordinated and discriminated against in a society.
(India, euphemism) A Muslim.

Related terms

Translations

Translations

Adjective

minority

(relational, attributive) Of or relating to a minority.
They hold a minority interest in the company.
(attributive, politics, 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.
minority government

Translations

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