minority Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a group of people who differ racially or politically from a larger group of which it is a part
  2. noun being or relating to the smaller in number of two parts
    • when the vote was taken they were in the minority
    • he held a minority position
  3. noun any age prior to the legal age
    nonage.

WordNet

Mi*nor"i*ty noun
Etymology
Cf. F. minorité. See Minor, a. & n.
Wordforms
plural Minorities
Definitions
  1. The state of being a minor, or under age.
  2. State of being less or small. Obs. Sir T. Browne.
  3. The smaller number; -- opposed to majority; as, the minority must be ruled by the majority.

Webster 1913