plurality
pronunciation
How to pronounce plurality in British English:
UK [plʊəˈræləti]
How to pronounce plurality in American English:
US [plʊˈræləti]
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- Noun:
- the state of being plural
- a large indefinite number
- (in an election with more than 2 options) the number of votes for the candidate or party receiving the greatest number (but less that half of the votes)
Word Origin
- plurality (n.)
- late 14c., "state of being plural," from Old French pluralite (14c.), from Late Latin pluralitatem (nominative pluralitas), from Latin pluralis (see plural). Meaning "fact of there being many, multitude" is from mid-15c. Church sense of "holding of two or more offices concurrently" is from mid-14c. Meaning "greater number, more than half" is from 1570s but is etymologically improper, perhaps modeled on majority. U.S. sense of "excess of votes over rival candidate(s)," especially when none has an absolute majority, is from 1828.
Example
- 1. The rules regarding media plurality are unclear .
- 2. It appears that a narrow plurality of voters decided not to take that bet and backed new democracy .
- 3. Consider that before the financial crisis , there was a greater plurality in banking in terms of concentration of assets .
- 4. Since winning a nearly 50 % plurality in the legislature , its leaders have stepped up their criticism of the military .