seniority

noun

se·​nior·​i·​ty sēn-ˈyȯr-ə-tē How to pronounce seniority (audio)
-ˈyär-
Synonyms of senioritynext
1
: the quality or state of being senior : priority
2
: a privileged status attained by length of continuous service (as in a company)

Examples of seniority in a Sentence

Promotions are based on merit and seniority. a teacher with less seniority He has worked here longer than I have, so he has seniority over me.
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.
Brown previously served as chairman, but caucus rules state that seniority resets if a senator leaves and then is reelected. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2026 Ashley has grown accustomed to being Gizelle’s principal deputy, but Robyn has no intention of surrendering her seniority, creating a power struggle of sorts. — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026 Jackson argues that Congress should have been able to prevent the tariffs altogether, and that Collins, for all her seniority in Washington, should have been able to do more to help her state. — Megan Cassella, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026 Debbie Wasserman Schultz highlights experience and congressional seniority Wasserman Schultz, who is seeking her 12th term in Congress, entered the District 20 race after her previous district was redrawn. — Tania Francois, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for seniority

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of seniority was in the 15th century

Rhymes for seniority

See All Rhymes for seniority

Browse Nearby Words

senioritis
seniority
seniority rule
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Seniority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seniority. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

seniority

noun
se·​nior·​i·​ty sēn-ˈyȯr-ət-ē How to pronounce seniority (audio)
-ˈyär-
1
: the quality or state of being senior
2
: a privileged position arrived at by length of service

Legal Definition

seniority

noun
se·​nior·​i·​ty sēn-ˈyȯr-ə-tē How to pronounce seniority (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being senior
2
: the senior status attained by length of continuous service (as in a company)
also : the length of such continuous service

More from Merriam-Webster on seniority

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for seniority

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