supermajority

noun

su·​per·​ma·​jor·​i·​ty ˈsü-pər-mə-ˌjȯr-ə-tē 

-ˌjär-

plural supermajorities

: a majority (such as two-thirds or three-fifths) that is greater than a simple majority

treaty ratification requires a supermajority

Furthermore, it is about even money that soon after Congress convenes in January it will … approve a constitutional amendment to require supermajorities (three-fifths) in both houses of Congress to approve deficit spending.

—George F. Will

The company, for instance, has a supermajority clause in its articles of incorporation; 80% of the shareholders must approve any sale or merger.

—Joshua Hyatt

Examples of supermajority in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The measure needed a 60% supermajority to pass, the highest threshold in the country. —Fox News, 8 Jan. 2025

Nebraska, meanwhile, has a unicameral legislature unique among U.S. states — though the Cornhusker State has a Republican-leaning supermajority. —Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025

Previously, if 50% of affected landowners protested the change, a three-fourths supermajority vote was required. —Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024

Meanwhile, the judicial branch is seen as leaning in the GOP's favor after Trump nominated three justices to the Supreme Court during his first term, giving the Court a 6-3 conservative supermajority. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

supermajority

noun

su·​per·​ma·​jor·​i·​ty ˈsü-pər-mə-ˌjȯr-ə-tē 

: a large majority

a provision requiring a supermajority vote — say, 80 % of the common shares instead of the usual bare majority rule

—R. C. Clark