Meaning & Definition of word "Minority"

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    Minority

    /mɪˈnɔrɪti/

    noun:

    • 1. A group that is smaller in number than the majority; a smaller portion of a larger group, often distinguished by race, ethnicity, religion, or other characteristics.
      • Example: The government has implemented programs to support the rights of the minority populations.
    • 2. The state of being under the age of full legal responsibility; the period before one reaches adulthood.
      • Example: She was not allowed to vote as she was still in her minority.
    • 3. A group of persons who possess distinct ethnic, cultural, or linguistic characteristics and are marginalized within a larger community.
      • Example: The film highlights the struggles of the ethnic minority in the region.

    Etymology

    From Latin 'minoritas', meaning 'smaller, lesser'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    political minority:

    A smaller political party or group that does not hold the majority of power.

    racial minority:

    A racial or ethnic group that constitutes less than half of a given population.

    minority rights:

    Legal rights that are granted to individuals or groups that make up less than half of the population.

    Related Words

    majority:

    The greater number or part of something.

    minor:

    A person who is not yet legally an adult.

    discrimination:

    The unjust treatment of different categories of people.

    Slang Meanings of minority

    Meaning: Min

    Example Sentence: He's part of the min at the start of this movement.

    Meaning: Mino

    Example Sentence: She's a mino in this debate club, often voicing unique perspectives.