seniority

noun

se·​nior·​i·​ty sēn-ˈyȯr-ə-tē 

-ˈyär-

1

: the quality or state of being senior : priority

2

: a privileged status attained by length of continuous service (as in a company)

Examples of seniority in a Sentence

Promotions are based on merit and seniority.

a teacher with less seniority

He has worked here longer than I have, so he has seniority over me.

Recent Examples on the Web

That trend took off last year with the ascension of Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) to party leader, and is now extending more broadly to committee posts, which have historically hinged on seniority. —Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 4 Dec. 2024

These statistics reveal that imposter syndrome does not discriminate based on seniority or expertise. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Assignments are based in part on seniority, which Schiff lacks in the Senate despite his long run in the House. —Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024

The sides have been unable to reach an agreement on union demands for cost-of-living wage increases and seniority protections. —Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

seniority

noun

se·​nior·​i·​ty sēn-ˈyȯr-ət-ē 

-ˈyär-

1

: the quality or state of being senior

2

: a privileged position arrived at by length of service

Legal Definition

seniority

noun

se·​nior·​i·​ty sēn-ˈyȯr-ə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being senior

2

: the senior status attained by length of continuous service (as in a company)

also : the length of such continuous service