minority
Use Minority in a sentence
ɪ noun
1.
the smaller part or number; a number, part, or amount forming less than half of the whole.
2.
a smaller party or group opposed to a majority, as in voting or other action.
3.
4.
a member of such a group.
5.
the state or period of being under the legal age of full responsibility.
adjective
6.
of or pertaining to a minority.
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Minority
is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To minority
Collins
World English Dictionary
minority (maɪˈnɒrɪtɪ, mɪ-) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n , pl -ties | |
| 1. | the smaller in number of two parts, factions, or groups |
| 2. | a group that is different racially, politically, etc, from a larger group of which it is a part |
| 3. | a. the state of being a minor |
| b. Compare majority the period during which a person is below legal age | |
| 4. | (modifier) relating to or being a minority: a minority interest; a minority opinion |
| [C16: from Medieval Latin minōritās, from Latin | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
minority
1533, "condition of being smaller," from M.L. minoritatem (nom. minoritas), from L. minor (see minor). Meaning "state of being under legal age" is from 1547; that of "smaller number or part" is from 1736. The meaning "group of people separated from the rest of a community
by race, religion, language, etc." is from 1921.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia
minority
a culturally, ethnically, or racially distinct group that coexists with but is subordinate to a more dominant group. As the term is used in the social sciences, this subordinancy is the chief defining characteristic of a minority group. As such, minority status does not necessarily correlate to population. In some cases one or more so-called minority groups may have a population many times the size of the dominating group, as was the case in South Africa under apartheid (c. 1950-91).
Learn more about minority with a free trial on Britannica.com.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Example sentences
And while scientists from minority groups may be rare, they do exist.
The biggest challenge, she says, is getting more units from minority groups.
The thought of losing a job to a minority probably wouldn't cross the minds of those who have a job.
Minority households also became more likely to have education debt.
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