plurality

noun

plu·​ral·​i·​ty plu̇-ˈra-lə-tē 

plural pluralities

1

a

: the state of being plural

b

: the state of being numerous

c

: a large number or quantity

2

: pluralism sense 1

also : a benefice held by pluralism

3

a

: a number greater than another

b

: an excess of votes over those cast for an opposing candidate

c

: a number of votes cast for a candidate in a contest of more than two candidates that is greater than the number cast for any other candidate but not more than half the total votes cast

Examples of plurality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But a plurality said the Trump administration is putting the right amount of focus on cutting government spending and U.S. foreign aid, as well as on ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs. —Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2025

The plurality of vehicles entering the tolling zone — 44% — come from points north. —Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2025

Meanwhile, a plurality of Black respondents, 34%, said the programs have had a positive effect on them personally, while less than half of white respondents, 16%, said the same. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025

Labour swept the Conservatives out of office, winning an enormous parliamentary majority despite a rather modest plurality (34 percent) of the votes, helped by how Britain’s first-past-the-vote electoral system worked against a right divided between the Tories and Nigel Farage’s Reform. —Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

plurality

noun

plu·​ral·​i·​ty plu̇-ˈral-ət-ē 

plural pluralities

1

: the state of being plural or numerous

2

a

: the greater number or part

a plurality of the nations want peace

b

: the number of votes by which one candidate wins over another

c

: a number of votes cast for a candidate in a contest of more than two candidates that is greater than the number cast for any other candidate but is not more than half the total votes cast

Legal Definition

plurality

noun

plu·​ral·​i·​ty plu̇-ˈra-lə-tē 

plural pluralities

: an amount or group (as of votes) that is greater than any other amount or group within a total but that is not more than half

especially : a group of justices on an appeals court who do not form a majority but with whose opinion enough other justices concur to render it the decision of the court see also plurality opinion at opinion compare majority