PLURALITY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does plurality mean? 

• PLURALITY (noun)
  The noun PLURALITY has 3 senses:

1. the state of being plural

2. a large indefinite number

3. (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)

  Familiarity information: PLURALITY used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PLURALITY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The state of being plural

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Context example:

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

Hypernyms ("plurality" is a kind of...):

state (the way something is with respect to its main attributes)

Derivation:

plural (grammatical number category referring to two or more items or units)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A large indefinite number

Classified under:

Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure

Synonyms:

battalion; large number; multitude; pack; plurality

Context example:

a plurality of religions

Hypernyms ("plurality" is a kind of...):

large indefinite amount; large indefinite quantity (an indefinite quantity that is above the average in size or magnitude)

Sense 3

Meaning:

(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)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure

Synonyms:

plurality; relative majority

Hypernyms ("plurality" is a kind of...):

relative quantity (a quantity relative to some purpose)

Domain category:

election (a vote to select the winner of a position or political office)