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

The poll found a plurality of respondents had a favorable opinion of Zelensky, with 43 percent viewing him positively and 36 percent viewing him negatively. —Jared Gans, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2025

And a plurality of 45% disapproved of his handling of the Russia-Ukraine war. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025

Listen to this article A plurality of NYC residents want congestion pricing to stay as the Trump administration moves to end the toll, according to a Siena College poll released Monday. —Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025

Men are more likely than women (26 percent to 9 percent) to believe people should stop at ages 21 or under, although a plurality of men say people should never stop. —William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for plurality

• banality
• bestiality
• brutality
• carnality
• centrality
• chirality
• duality
• fatality
• finality
• formality
• frugality
• legality

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