rhizoverbBeta
DictionarypreponderanceGreater weight or amount
noun

preponderance

prih-PAHN-duh-ruhns/prɪˈpɑːndərəns/

A greater weight, amount, or influence that makes one side prevail.

The lowered side of the scale shows a preponderance of weight.

A balance scale is decisively lowered by a much larger pile of identical counters on one side, showing greater weight and amount.
Etymology
preLatinbefore
+ponderanceLatinto weigh

“Before” and “weigh” combine in the idea of outweighing something else. The original sense of greater heaviness extended to greater importance and then greater number.

In context

U.S. Naval War College52:36
there is the phrase preponderance of the evidence we know what that means it's sort of more than 50
Disruptive Technologies in International Law: Day Two of Three

More examples

  • The committee had a preponderance of experienced members.
  • One region held a preponderance of influence.
  • The balance showed a clear preponderance on one side.

Forms

preponderance

preponderant adjective — greater in weight, amount, or influence

Similar words

majority
Majority concerns more than half of a count; preponderance can concern weight, evidence, or influence.
predominance
Predominance is prevailing importance or power; preponderance emphasizes the greater weight or amount producing it.