English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
plural + -ity, from Middle English pluralite, from Old French pluralité (“multitude, state of being plural”), from Latin plūrālitās.
Pronunciation[edit]
- Rhymes: -ælɪti
Noun[edit]
plurality (countable and uncountable, plural pluralities)
- (uncountable) The state of being plural.
- (ecclesiastical) The holding of multiple benefices.
- Synonym: pluralism
- 1644, John Milton, Areopagitica:
- It was the complaint and lamentation of Prelats, upon every least breath of a motion to remove pluralities, and distribute more equally Church revennu’s, that then all learning would be for ever dasht and discourag’d.
- (countable) A state of being numerous.
- Synonym: multiplicity
- (countable) A number or part of a whole which is greater than any other number or part, but not necessarily a majority.
- (countable) A number of votes for a single candidate or position which is greater than the number of votes gained by any other single candidate or position voted for, but which is less than a majority of valid votes cast.
- Synonyms: relative majority, simple majority
- 1977 September 8, «Crime against clarity», editorial, Bangor Daily News, page 14 [1]:
- To repeal the tax (Question I), a 50 per cent majority vote is required. To keep the tax in its 1976 form (Question III), only a plurality of votes is required.
- (countable) A margin by which a number exceeds another number, especially of votes.
- 1948 December 10, «President Race Ignored by 683,382 Voters», The Deseret News, page A-2 [2]:
- Truman’s total vote was 24,104,836. Dewey received 21,969,500; […] . Truman won by a plurality of 2,135,336, but it was the first time since 1916 that a winner has failed to capture a majority of all votes cast.
- 1948 December 10, «President Race Ignored by 683,382 Voters», The Deseret News, page A-2 [2]:
- (countable) A group of many entities: a large number.
- A plurality of ideas were put forth at the meeting, most of which were rejected out of hand.
- (countable) A group composed of more than one entity.
- 1989, United States Patent 5065364, abstract:
- The array is organized into a plurality of vertical (column) blocks.
- 1989, United States Patent 5065364, abstract:
- (of spouses) Polygamy.
- (psychology) The condition of a single body/person displaying multiple distinct personas.
- Synonym: multiplicity
- 2016, Lori F. Clarke, «Embracing Polyphony: Voices, Improvisation, and the Hearing Voices Network», Intersectionalities: A Global Journal of Social Work Analysis, Research, Polity, and Practice, Volume 5, Number 2 (2016), page 1:
- In this paper I argue that hearing voices experiences and plurality are part of a broad, rich, and complex spectrum of human experience, […]
- 2020, Tynan Drake, «Intersectional Representation: LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse voices in transmedia fiction», paper submitted to Ball State University, page 5:
- Clinical psychology tends to lean towards early childhood trauma as an explanation for the development of plurality, but many members of the plurality community report experiencing a multiplicity of selves before, or even completely in the absence of, trauma.
- 2020, Meg-John Barker, «Plural selves, queer, and comics», Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics, Volume 11, Issue 4 (2020):
- People often find it easiest to recognise plurality in themselves when they reflect on how they behave in different relationships or situations.
- For more quotations using this term, see Citations:plurality.
Antonyms[edit]
- (state of being more than one): singularity
Coordinate terms[edit]
- superminority, qualified minority, simple majority, relative majority, absolute majority, qualified majority, supermajority
Translations[edit]
the state of being plural
- Bulgarian: множественост (bg) f (množestvenost), многочисленост (bg) f (mnogočislenost)
- Catalan: pluralitat f
- Finnish: monikollisuus (fi), moninaisuus (fi)
- French: pluralité (fr) f
- Galician: pluralidade (gl) f
- Georgian: მრავლობითობა (mravlobitoba), უმრავლესობა (umravlesoba), უმეტესობა (umeṭesoba)
- German: Pluralität (de) f
- Greek: πολλαπλότητα (el) f (pollaplótita)
- Hungarian: pluralizmus (hu), (grammar) többes szám
- Italian: pluralità (it) f
- Latin: plūrālitās f
- Manx: yl-raght f
- Portuguese: pluralidade (pt) f
- Romanian: pluralitate (ro) f
- Russian: мно́жественность (ru) f (mnóžestvennostʹ)
- Spanish: pluralidad (es) f
- Turkish: çoğulluk (tr)
ecclesiastical: the holding of multiple benefices
a state of being numerous
most votes in election, but less than 50%
- Bulgarian: болшинство (bg) n (bolšinstvo)
- Dutch: relatieve meerderheid
- Esperanto: relativa plimulto
- Finnish: suhteellinen enemmistö
- Georgian: შედარებითი უმრავლესობა (šedarebiti umravlesoba), ფარდობითი უმრავლესობა (pardobiti umravlesoba)
- Hebrew: רוב יַחֲסִי m (rov yahasi)
- Hungarian: relatív többség
- Persian: اکثریت نسبی (fa) (aksariyat-e nesbi)
- Swedish: relativ majoritet (sv), enkel majoritet (sv)
group of many entities: a large number
psychology: the condition of a single body/person displaying multiple distinct personas
множество, множественность, большинство голосов, совместительство
существительное ↓
- множественность
- множество
plurality of locks — множество замков 
- спец. совокупность, ряд; некоторое число, количество
- огромность, колоссальность
plurality of effort — колоссальные усилия
- совместительство; одновременное владение несколькими бенефициями
to hold a plurality of offices — а) работать на нескольких должностях по совместительству; б) церк. обслуживать несколько приходов
- большинство; большинство голосов
the question was decided by a plurality of votes — вопрос был решён большинством голосов
- амер. относительное большинство голосов
Мои примеры
Словосочетания
decide a question by a plurality of votes — решить вопрос большинством голосов
to be elected by a plurality of votes — быть избранным относительным большинством голосов
plurality of gods — многобожие
hold a plurality of offices — работать на нескольких должностях по совместительству
plurality of deaerator modules — множество деаэраторных модулей
plurality of causes — учение о том, что данный результат может быть достигнут несколькими средствами
plurality of cells — серия электролизёров
plurality of claims — множество исков
plurality of persons — множественность субъектов; множественность лиц
plurality of regimes in the territorial sea — множественность режимов территориального моря
Примеры с переводом
He had a thousand plurality and was elected President.
У него был перевес в тысячу голосов, в результате чего он был избран на пост президента.
To mark plurality, one language may add an extra syllable to the word whereas another may simply change the vowel in the existing final syllable
Чтобы обозначить множественное число, в одном языке могут добавить к концу слова ещё один слог, в то время как другом могут просто поменять гласную в последнем слоге.
Примеры, ожидающие перевода
The Democrats won only a plurality of the votes cast. 
Для того чтобы добавить вариант перевода, кликните по иконке ☰, напротив примера.
Формы слова
noun
ед. ч.(singular): plurality
мн. ч.(plural): pluralities
1
b
: the state of being numerous
c
: a large number or quantity
3
a
: a number greater than another
b
: an excess of votes over those cast for an opposing candidate
c
: a number of votes cast for a candidate in a contest of more than two candidates that is greater than the number cast for any other candidate but not more than half the total votes cast
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
At the same time, a plurality of Americans (47%) say the charges against the former president are politically motivated, echoing the sentiment from top GOP figures.
—
Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2023
Among all American adults, the survey found that a plurality (41%) supports banning the app.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023
What level of agreement constitutes a consensus (perhaps a plurality, or a majority, or a supermajority)?
—Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Jan. 2023
Polled last month on who was most responsible for that — with President Biden, the Legislature, and the economy among the choices — the plurality of voters (36 percent) pointed to Baker.
—Matt Stout, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Oct. 2022
Meanwhile, a plurality of respondents reported that the U.S. has not gone far enough in promoting equality between men and women; accepting people who are gay, lesbian or bisexual or promoting racial and ethnic diversity in business and universities.
—Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 27 Mar. 2023
And while pluralities of all socioeconomic backgrounds believe life won’t return to normal, 55% of those making less than $36,000 feel that way, compared to 48% of those making between $36,000 and $90,000, and 43% of those making more than $90,000.
—Ben Kamisar, NBC News, 16 Mar. 2023
The one where a plurality of members are still trying to wish away the reality of a seditious mob invading their building and trying to kill them.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 10 Mar. 2023
Of those people, a plurality are minorities and low-income Americans.
—Staff Writer
Follow, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘plurality.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of plurality was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near plurality
Cite this Entry
“Plurality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plurality. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
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- Plurality Vs. Majority
- Examples
- British
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
[ ploo—ral-i-tee ]
/ plʊˈræl ɪ ti /
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
noun, plural plu·ral·i·ties.
the excess of votes received by the leading candidate, in an election in which there are three or more candidates, over those received by the next candidate (distinguished from majority).
more than half of the whole; the majority.
a number greater than one.
fact of being numerous.
state or fact of being plural.
Ecclesiastical.
- the holding by one person of two or more benefices at the same time; pluralism.
- any of the benefices so held.
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Origin of plurality
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English pluralite, from Old French, from Late Latin plūrālitās; see plural, -ity
synonym study for plurality
OTHER WORDS FROM plurality
non·plu·ral·i·ty, noun, plural non·plu·ral·i·ties.
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH plurality
majority, plurality (see synonym study at majority)
Words nearby plurality
plupf., PLUR, plural, pluralism, pluralistic, plurality, pluralize, plurally, plural marriage, plural voting, pluri-
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
PLURALITY VS. MAJORITY
What’s the difference between a plurality and a majority?
Generally speaking, word plurality refers to an amount that’s the largest of all the amounts that make up a total (even if it’s less than half), while the word majority refers to an amount that’s larger than half of a total.
In casual use, the two words are sometimes used interchangeably to mean more than half of a total.
They are also sometimes used interchangeably in an election with only two candidates (though majority is much more commonly used in the context). That’s because, in an election with only two ways to vote, getting more votes necessarily means getting more than half of the votes. For example, in such an election, a candidate can be said to have won by a two-thirds majority or a two-thirds plurality (meaning they have received two-thirds of all the votes cast, with the losing candidate receiving one-third).
The terms are used in differing ways in elections with three or more candidates. In such an election, the word plurality often refers to the highest number of votes received when no candidate has received more than 50% of the vote.
In this context, to win a plurality of votes, you just have to get the largest percentage of all vote-getters, which may not be as high as 50%. For example, a candidate in a three-way race may win the plurality by getting 40% of votes, with the runner-up getting 35% of votes and the last-place finisher getting 25% of votes. To win a majority of votes, a candidate would have to get more than 50%.
Sometimes, plurality refers to how many more votes the winner has than the runner-up, and majority refers to the number of votes by which a candidate has exceeded the amount that would be 50%.
If three candidates were to receive 600, 300, and 100 votes, the winner would have a 100-vote majority (due to having 100 votes more than 500, which is half of the total of 1,000 votes cast) and a plurality of 300 votes over the nearest opponent.
Some types of elections require a candidate to receive the majority of the votes to win the election, while others just require a plurality.
Here’s an example of plurality and majority used correctly in the same sentence.
Example: Although no candidate received the majority of the vote, Ms. Molineaux got the plurality with 40%.
Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between plurality and majority.
Quiz yourself on plurality vs. majority!
Should plurality or majority be used in the following sentence?
At 65% of all purchases, sneakers make up the _____ of the company’s sales.
Words related to plurality
advantage, bulk, lead, majority, mass, multiplicity, numerousness, preponderance, profusion, variety, most
How to use plurality in a sentence
-
At the presidential level, the winner of the plurality of the vote gets the state’s 16 electoral votes.
-
In a Fox News survey from late November, the plurality of people, 47 percent, thought that not all the votes in Florida had been counted.
-
Such reviews can take many months to complete and open up the possibility of the regulator blocking the deal, which it can do if believes the purchase would in any way undermine national security, financial stability or plurality in media ownership.
-
It’s not uncommon for a candidate to win with a plurality of only 20 percent or 30 percent of the vote.
-
That means the next mayor could be someone who seizes a relatively small percentage of the vote, so long as it’s a plurality.
-
He won then with less than 38 percent of the vote, the smallest plurality of any winning gubernatorial candidate in the country.
-
Even on the eve of its passage, at least a plurality said they opposed the law.
-
The misuse of conscience exemptions is threatening our hard-won plurality.
-
A large plurality of American voters, and 46 percent of the people who voted in 2012, are between the ages of 18 and 44.
-
The NY Governor has set off a right-wing firestorm, standing accused of seeking to stifle free speech and political plurality.
-
Each society of monks elected its superior; for, in the early ages of the church, everything was done by the plurality of voices.
-
He permitted a plurality of wives, conforming in this point to the immemorial usage of the orientals.
-
The unity of darkness contains a multiple, a mysterious plurality—visible in matter, realised in thought.
-
The Jews were encouraged to indulge in a plurality of wives; but they were nowhere directed or recommended to live on alms.
-
We therefore assert the existence of several genera, and that this plurality is not accidental.
British Dictionary definitions for plurality
noun plural -ties
the state of being plural or numerous
maths a number greater than one
US and Canadian the excess of votes or seats won by the winner of an election over the runner-up when no candidate or party has more than 50 per centBritish equivalent: relative majority
a large number
the greater number; majority
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
-
1
plurality
1) мно́жественность
2) совмести́тельство (часто о священнике, обслуживающем несколько приходов)
3) мно́жество
4)
амер.
относи́тельное большинство́ голосо́в
5) большинство́ голосо́в
Англо-русский словарь Мюллера > plurality
-
2
plurality
Персональный Сократ > plurality
-
3
plurality
[pluəˈrælɪtɪ]
plurality большинство голосов plurality множественность plurality множество plurality относительное большинство голосов plurality амер. относительное большинство голосов plurality совместительство (часто о священнике, обслуживающем несколько приходов) plurality совместительство plurality of claims множество исков plurality of debtors множество должников
English-Russian short dictionary > plurality
-
4
plurality
Англо-русский синонимический словарь > plurality
-
5
plurality
[plʋ(ə)ʹrælıtı]
1. множественность
2. 1) множество
2)
совокупность, ряд; некоторое число, количество
3) огромность, колоссальность
3. совместительство; одновременное владение несколькими бенефициями
to hold a plurality of offices — а) работать на нескольких должностях по совместительству; б) обслуживать несколько приходов
4. 1) большинство; большинство голосов
the question was decided by a plurality of votes — вопрос был решён большинством голосов
2)
относительное большинство голосов
НБАРС > plurality
-
6
plurality
сущ.
1)
общ.
множество, множественное число
2)
общ.
множество, ряд, масса, большое количество
3)
а)
,
амер.
относительное большинство голосов
plurality winner — кандидат, избранный относительным большинство голосов [получивший относительное большинство голосов]
Syn:
See:
He had a thousand plurality and was elected President. — У него был перевес в тысячу голосов, в результате чего он был избран на пост президента.
4) совместительство
Syn:
See:
Англо-русский экономический словарь > plurality
-
7
plurality
1. n множественность
2. n множество
3. n спец. совокупность, ряд; некоторое число, количество
4. n огромность, колоссальность
5. n совместительство; одновременное владение несколькими бенефициями
6. n большинство; большинство голосов
7. n амер. относительное большинство голосов
Синонимический ряд:
majority (noun) body; bulk; lead; majority; many; mass; more than half; most; multiplicity; preponderance; several; winning number
English-Russian base dictionary > plurality
-
8
plurality
Большой англо-русский и русско-английский словарь > plurality
-
9
plurality
Англо-русский юридический словарь > plurality
-
10
plurality
совмещение ; множество ; ? plurality of professions ;
Англо-Русский словарь финансовых терминов > plurality
-
11
plurality
[pluə’rælətɪ]
сущ.
1)
2) масса, множество, большое количество
Syn:
3) совместительство
Syn:
4)
б)
амер.
относительное большинство голосов
He had a thousand plurality and was elected President. — У него был перевес в тысячу голосов, в результате чего он был избран на пост президента.
Англо-русский современный словарь > plurality
-
12
plurality
n
1) множественность; множество
English-russian dctionary of diplomacy > plurality
-
13
plurality
1) совместительство
2) множественность
Англо-русский технический словарь > plurality
-
14
plurality
1. множественность;
2. множество;
3. совместительство;
4. большинство; большинство голосов.
* * *
сущ.
1) множественность;
2) множество;
3) совместительство;
4) большинство; большинство голосов.
Англо-русский словарь по социологии > plurality
-
15
plurality
[plʊ(ə)’rælɪtɪ]
5) юр.Н.П. относительное большинство, совместительство
Универсальный англо-русский словарь > plurality
-
16
plurality
Англо-русский универсальный дополнительный практический переводческий словарь И. Мостицкого > plurality
-
17
plurality
[plʊə`rælɪtɪ]
множественность
многочисленность
масса, множество, большое количество
совместительство
большинство голосов
относительное большинство голосов
Англо-русский большой универсальный переводческий словарь > plurality
-
18
plurality
Politics english-russian dictionary > plurality
-
19
plurality
noun
1) множественность
2) множество
3) совместительство (часто о священнике, обслуживающем несколько приходов)
4) большинство голосов
5)
amer.
относительное большинство голосов
* * *
(n) количество; колоссальность; множественность; множество; некоторое число; огромность; одновременное владение несколькими бенефициями; ряд; совместительство; совокупность
* * *
* * *
[plu·ral·i·ty || ‚plʊ’rælətɪ]
множественность, множество; совместительство; большинство голосов* * *
большинство
многочисленность
множественность
множество
плюрализм
совместительство
* * *
1) а) множественность
б) многочисленность
2) масса, множество, большое количествоНовый англо-русский словарь > plurality
-
20
plurality
США. Лингвострановедческий англо-русский словарь > plurality
Страницы
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См. также в других словарях:
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Plurality — Plu*ral i*ty, n.; pl. {pluralities}. [L. pluralitas: cf. F. pluralit[ e].] 1. The state of being plural, or consisting of more than one; a number consisting of two or more of the same kind; as, a plurality of worlds; the plurality of a verb.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
-
plurality — plu·ral·i·ty /plu̇ ra lə tē/ n pl ties: an amount or group (as of votes) that is greater than any other amount or group within a total but that is not more than half; esp: a group of justices on an appeals court who do not form a majority but… … Law dictionary
-
Plurality — can refer to the following:* Plural, in linguistics * Plurality (voting), a less than the majority number of votes * Plurality voting system, also called first past the post * Plurality (church governance) * Plurality (company), Israeli startup * … Wikipedia
-
plurality — [ploo ral′ə tē] n. pl. pluralities [ME pluralite < MFr pluralité < LL pluralitas] 1. the condition of being plural or numerous 2. a great number; multitude 3. a) the holding of two or more church benefices at the same time b) any of the… … English World dictionary
-
plurality — late 14c., “state of being plural,” from O.Fr. pluralite (14c.), from L.L. pluralitas, from pluralis (see PLURAL (Cf. plural)). Meaning “fact of there being many, multitude” is from mid 15c. Church sense of “holding of two or more… … Etymology dictionary
-
plurality — *majority … New Dictionary of Synonyms
-
plurality — [n] large part of a group advantage, bulk, greater part, lead, majority, mass, most, multiplicity, nearly all, numerousness, preponderance, profusion, variety; concepts 382,829 Ant. minority … New thesaurus
-
plurality — ► NOUN (pl. pluralities) 1) the fact or state of being plural. 2) a large number of people or things. 3) US the number of votes cast for a candidate who receives more than any other but does not receive an absolute majority … English terms dictionary
-
plurality — [[t]plʊəræ̱lɪti[/t]] pluralities 1) QUANT PL If there is a plurality of things, a number of them exist. [FORMAL] Federalism implies a plurality of political authorities, each with its own powers. 2) QUANT PL If a candidate, political party, or… … English dictionary
-
plurality — plu|ral|i|ty [pluˈrælıti] n plural pluralities 1.) [C usually singular] formal a large number of different things plurality of ▪ the plurality of factors affecting the election 2.) [U and C] especially AmE technical if one person or party… … Dictionary of contemporary English
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plurality — /plursladiy/ The excess of the votes cast for one candidate over those cast for any other. Where there are only two candidates, he who receives the greater number of the votes cast is said to have a majority; when there are more than two… … Black’s law dictionary
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plu·ral·i·ty
(plo͝o-răl′ĭ-tē)
n. pl. plu·ral·i·ties
1. The state or fact of being plural.
2. A large number or amount; a multitude.
3. Ecclesiastical
a. Pluralism.
b. The offices or benefices held by a pluralist.
4.
a. In a contest of more than two choices, the number of votes cast for the winning choice if this number is not more than one half of the total votes cast.
b. The number by which the vote of the winning choice in such a contest exceeds that of the closest opponent.
5. The larger or greater part.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
plurality
(plʊəˈrælɪtɪ)
n, pl -ties
1. the state of being plural or numerous
2. (Mathematics) maths a number greater than one
3. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) US and Canadian the excess of votes or seats won by the winner of an election over the runner-up when no candidate or party has more than 50 per cent. British equivalent: relative majority
4. a large number
5. the greater number; majority
6. (Ecclesiastical Terms) another word for pluralism1
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
plu•ral•i•ty
(plʊˈræl ɪ ti)
n., pl. -ties.
1. (in an election involving three or more candidates) the excess of votes received by the leading candidate over those received by the next candidate (disting. from majority).
2. more than half of the whole; the majority.
3. a number greater than one.
4. the fact of being numerous.
5. a large number; multitude.
6. the state or fact of being plural.
Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. | plurality — the state of being plural; «to mark plurality, one language may add an extra syllable to the word whereas another may simply change the vowel in the existing final syllable»
state — the way something is with respect to its main attributes; «the current state of knowledge»; «his state of health»; «in a weak financial state» |
| 2. |  plurality — a large indefinite number; «a battalion of ants»; «a multitude of TV antennas»; «a plurality of religions» |
|
| 3. | plurality — (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)
election — a vote to select the winner of a position or political office; «the results of the election will be announced tonight» |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
plurality
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations
Collins Spanish Dictionary — Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
plurality
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Other forms: pluralities
In an election with three or more candidates, where no one gets more than half of the votes, you would win if you had the plurality.
The word plurality first appeared in the 14th Century as «the state of being plural.» The meaning applied to an election emerged in the United States around 1828, referring to a group of candidates where none has an absolute majority over the others. We can also use it to express a multitude of anything. For example, the United States is a nation with a plurality of races and religions. Here, plurality gives you the idea of a large, undefined number.
Definitions of plurality
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noun
the state of being plural
“to mark
plurality, one language may add an extra syllable to the word whereas another may simply change the vowel in the existing final syllable” -
noun
a large indefinite number
“a
plurality of religions”-
synonyms:
battalion, large number, multitude, pack
-
noun
(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)
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘plurality’.
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Defenition of the word plurality
- (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)
- a large indefinite number; «a battalion of ants»; «a multitude of TV antennas»; «a plurality of religions»
- the state of being plural; «to mark plurality, one language may add an extra syllable to the word whereas another may simply change the vowel in the existing final syllable»
- a large indefinite number
- the state of being plural
Synonyms for the word plurality
-
- relative majority
Hypernyms for the word plurality
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- large indefinite amount
- large indefinite quantity
- relative quantity
- state
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