məˈdʒɔrɪtɪ n. (pl. -ies) 1 (usu. foll. by of)
the greater
number or
part. °Strictly used
only with countable nouns, e.g. a majority of
people,
and not with mass nouns, e.g. a majority of the
work. 2 Polit. a the number by
which the votes
cast for one party,
candidate, etc.
exceed those of the
next in rank (won by a majority of 151). b a party etc. receiving the greater number of votes. 3 full
legal age (attained
his majority). 4 the rank of
major. øthe
great majority 1
much the greater number. 2 euphem. the
dead (has joined the great majority). in the majority
esp. Polit. belonging to or constituting a majority party etc. majority
rule the
principle that the greater number
should exercise greater
power. majority
verdict a verdict
given by
more than half of the
jury, but not
unanimous. [F majorit÷ f. med.L majoritas -tatis (as MAJOR)]