minority

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

/ mɪˈnɔr ɪ ti, -ˈnɒr, -maɪ- /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR minority ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural mi·nor·i·ties.

the smaller part or number; a number, part, or amount forming less than half of the whole.

a smaller party or group opposed to a majority, as in voting or other action.

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.

a racial, ethnic, religious, or social subdivision of a society that is subordinate to the dominant group in political, financial, or social power without regard to the size of these groups: legislation aimed at providing equal rights for minorities.

a member of such a group.

the state or period of being under the legal age of full responsibility.

adjective

of or relating to a minority.

Compare majority-minority.

Origin of minority

From the Medieval Latin word minōritās, dating back to 1525–35. See minor, -ity

SYNONYMS FOR minority

6 childhood, boyhood, girlhood.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR minority ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM minority

non·mi·nor·i·ty, adjective pro·mi·nor·i·ty, adjective

Words nearby minority

minor-league, minor-leaguer, minorca, minorcan, minorite, minority, minority carrier, minority group, minority leader, minos, minot

Example sentences from the Web for minority

The Baluch in Iran do not speak Farsi but Baluchi, just like the Baluch in Pakistan, and in Iran they are a Sunni minority.

The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan |Umar Farooq |December 29, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Certainly, when it comes to the theological community, Francis is in the minority.

Sorry, Internet: Pope Francis Didn't Open Paradise to Pets |Candida Moss |December 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Indeed, a majority of Democratic voters will be minority voters shortly after the next census is taken.

2016 Is No Democratic Slam Dunk |Lloyd Green |December 1, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The only difference between then and now is that they were the minority then and are the majority now, or soon.

The Coming Battle for a New SecDef |Michael Tomasky |November 25, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Sen. Ted Cruz, one of two Hispanic Republicans in the Senate, accused Democrats of “pigeonholing” minority candidates.

The Republican Rainbow Coalition Is Real |Tim Mak |November 18, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
True, they were in the minority in point of numbers; but they had the law upon their side, and that gave them strength.

The Quadroon |Mayne Reid
He was especially careful in behalf of the Jewish men because he knew that they were a minority and might otherwise be neglected.

A Jewish Chaplain in France |Lee J. Levinger
Neither could the suggestion have been made by one of the minority, because none of them signed the petition to the last.

The Judicial Murder of Mary E. Surratt |David Miller DeWitt
It would amaze us to see the change in the life and surroundings of the feudal lords even in the years of William's minority.

The Normans |Sarah Orne Jewett
Any injury to our position must recoil with double force upon so weak and small a minority as they are when left to stand alone.

The Englishman in China During the Victorian Era, Vol. I (of 2) |Alexander Michie

British Dictionary definitions for minority

minority

/ (maɪˈnɒrɪtɪ, mɪ-) /

noun plural -ties

the smaller in number of two parts, factions, or groups

a group that is different racially, politically, etc, from a larger group of which it is a part

the state of being a minor
the period during which a person is below legal ageCompare majority

(modifier) relating to or being a minority a minority interest; a minority opinion

Word Origin for minority

C16: from Medieval Latin minōritās, from Latin minor

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

minority

noun, plural mi·nor·i·ties.

adjective

Origin of minority

SYNONYMS FOR minority

OTHER WORDS FROM minority

Words nearby minority

Example sentences from the Web for minority

British Dictionary definitions for minority

noun plural -ties

Word Origin for minority

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

minority

noun, plural mi·nor·i·ties.

adjective

Origin of minority

SYNONYMS FOR minority

OTHER WORDS FROM minority

Words nearby minority

Words related to minority

Example sentences from the Web for minority

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noun plural -ties

Word Origin for minority

British Dictionary definitions for minority