Minority

/maɪˈnɒɹ.ɪ.ti/ · noun

Meaning

The state or condition of being smaller, inferior, or subordinate to something or someone else; lesserness..

Definitions by Sense

1. The state or condition of being smaller, inferior, or subordinate to something or someone else; lesserness.
2. The state of being a minor; youth, the period of a person's life prior to reaching adulthood.
3. Any subgroup that does not form a numerical majority.
4. (US) A member of an ethnic minority.
5. (sociology) A group of people seen as distinct who are subordinated and discriminated against in a society.
6. (India, euphemistic) A Muslim.
7. (relational, attributive) Of or relating to a minority.
8. (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.

Example Sentences

And lest any man should think her intent was to unnestle ill neighbours, and not to aid good neighbours, or that she was readier to restore what was invaded by others than to render what was in her own hands; see if the time provided not a new occasion afterwards, when through their own division, without the intermise of strangers, her forces were again sought and required; she forsook them not, prevailed so far as to be possessed of the castle of Edinburgh, the principal strength of that kingdom, with peace, incontinently, without cunctations or cavillations, the preambles of a wavering faith, she rendered with all honour and security; and his person to safe and faithful hands; and so ever after during his minority continued his principal guardian and protector.

She also played a key role as dowager-regent during the minority of her son.

Most people agreed, but a sizable minority were upset by the decision.

Chuhsiung was in the heart of Yi country. The Yi made up the largest minority in Yunnan, with over three million members as of 1990. And their biggest concentration was in the mountains around Chuhsiung.

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.

The company claims it has hired several minorities since the complaint was lodged.

But we have seen that one important difference between women and other minorities is that women's attitudes and self-conceptions are conditioned more largely by interaction with both minority and dominant group members

They hold a minority interest in the company.

Synonyms for minority

Antonyms for minority

Related Words

Word Forms

• minorities
• more minority
• most minority

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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