rhizoverbBeta
DictionarymajorityMore than half
noun

majority

muh-JOR-uh-tee/məˈdʒɔːrəti/

A number or group greater than half of a total.

A majority of the voters supports the proposal.

In a small vote, more people raise their hands on one side of the room than remain seated on the other, making the greater-than-half group visible.
Etymology
majorLatingreater
+ityLatinstate or condition

Originally the condition of being greater or superior, majority came to mean the greater numerical part. In this sense, it identifies the portion exceeding half of the whole.

In context

Manoush Zomorodi3:03
If you sit or stand for the majority of your waking hours, your health is in jeopardy too.
Sitting All Day Is Killing You — Here’s What to Do About It | Manoush Zomorodi | TED
SciShow speaker3:00
So, the majority of species have ditched their algal buddies altogether.
The Hidden World of Coral Reefs

More examples

  • The motion passed by a narrow majority.
  • The majority chose the earlier date.
  • They needed a majority of all members, not just those present.

Forms

majority · majorities

major adjective — greater in importance or extent

Similar words

plurality
The largest group, which may still be less than half.
most
More than half in ordinary use.