supermajority

noun

su·​per·​ma·​jor·​i·​ty ˈsü-pər-mə-ˌjȯr-ə-tē How to pronounce supermajority (audio)
-ˌjär-
plural supermajorities
: a majority (such as two-thirds or three-fifths) that is greater than a simple majority
treaty ratification requires a supermajority
Furthermore, it is about even money that soon after Congress convenes in January it will … approve a constitutional amendment to require supermajorities (three-fifths) in both houses of Congress to approve deficit spending.George F. Will
The company, for instance, has a supermajority clause in its articles of incorporation; 80% of the shareholders must approve any sale or merger.Joshua Hyatt

Examples of supermajority in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But his recent comments have scrambled the conventional coalitions in California’s Capitol, where Democrats hold a supermajority in the Legislature and occupy every statewide office. Laurel Rosenhall, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025 Related Articles Broward schools superintendent to negotiate contract extension Last year, Manrara Cartaya fought to get the supermajority provision into Hepburn’s contract. Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025 Listen to this article A bill that would ban transgender women from collegiate sports passed on second reading in the Senate Tuesday, with amendments proposed by Democrats voted down by the Republican supermajority. Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025 But for now, the moratorium is unlikely to be overturned as long as Democrats retain control of the legislature and the governor's office in a state where the party holds a supermajority. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for supermajority

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of supermajority was in 1915

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Supermajority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supermajority. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Legal Definition

supermajority

noun
su·​per·​ma·​jor·​i·​ty ˈsü-pər-mə-ˌjȯr-ə-tē How to pronounce supermajority (audio)
: a large majority
a provision requiring a supermajority vote — say, 80 % of the common shares instead of the usual bare majority ruleR. C. Clark
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!