minority

/maɪˈnɔrəti/
noun
  1. A smaller number or part of a group, especially a group that is less than half of the whole.
    • In the committee, women were in the minority.
    • Only a minority of voters supported the new law.
    • The proposal was rejected because a minority of members opposed it.
  2. A group of people who are different from the larger population in race, religion, ethnicity, or other characteristics, and who may be treated differently.
    • Laws were passed to protect the rights of minorities.
    • The city has a large minority population, including many immigrant communities.
    • She works for an organization that supports ethnic minorities.
  3. The state or period of being under the legal age of adulthood.
    • He inherited the estate during his minority, so a guardian managed it for him.
    • The law protects children during their minority from certain contracts.
    • Her minority ended when she turned eighteen.
Antonyms
adjective
  1. Relating to or being part of a smaller group within a larger population.
    • Minority languages are taught in some local schools.
    • The school offers scholarships for minority students.
    • She is a member of a minority community in the region.
What does "minority" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean