plurality
noun
plu·ral·i·ty
plu̇-ˈra-lə-tē 
plural pluralities
1
2
: pluralism sense 1
also
: a benefice held by pluralism
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
Examples of plurality in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
It's cracked open a divide in the MAGA movement and was disliked by either a majority or plurality Americans surveyed in multiple polls, but hasn't dented Trump's approval numbers, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll.
—
Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, polling indicated that in four European countries that hosted U.S. nuclear weapons—Belgium, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands—a plurality of respondents opposed such hosting arrangements.
—Florence Gaub, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
For example, in the 2018 election in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, Bruce Poliquin led polling in the first round with a plurality of votes (45.6%) against four candidates.
—Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 17 June 2025
Meanwhile, a plurality of New Yorkers viewed Hochul unfavorably, the poll found.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for plurality
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, polling indicated that in four European countries that hosted U.S. nuclear weapons—Belgium, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands—a plurality of respondents opposed such hosting arrangements.
—Florence Gaub, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
For example, in the 2018 election in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, Bruce Poliquin led polling in the first round with a plurality of votes (45.6%) against four candidates.
—Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 17 June 2025
Meanwhile, a plurality of New Yorkers viewed Hochul unfavorably, the poll found.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for plurality
Cite this Entry
“Plurality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plurality. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
plurality
noun
plu·ral·i·ty
plu̇-ˈral-ət-ē
plural pluralities
1
: the state of being plural or numerous
2
a
: the greater number or part
a plurality of the nations want peace
b
: the number of votes by which one candidate wins over another
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 is not more than half the total votes cast
Legal Definition
plurality
noun
plu·ral·i·ty
plu̇-ˈra-lə-tē
plural pluralities
: 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
especially
: a group of justices on an appeals court who do not form a majority but with whose opinion enough other justices concur to render it the decision of the court see also plurality opinion at opinion compare majority
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share