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.
Menin cited concerns the Council could be sued over it by real estate groups, in addition to the bill not having a supermajority of support. — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026 The challenges have provided fodder for critics of how Democrats have run the state since obtaining a supermajority in the Legislature in 2018, when Newsom was elected. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 The pledge raises some questions about what kind of voting rights the shares would have; SpaceX is a dual-class stock and Musk enjoys supermajority control of the company. — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Cotham, previously a Democrat, switched parties in 2023, a move that gave the GOP a veto-proof supermajority in the state House and angered Democrats across North Carolina. — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Supermajority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supermajority. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Legal Definition

supermajority

noun
: a large majority
a provision requiring a supermajority vote — say, 80 % of the common shares instead of the usual bare majority rule—R. C. Clark
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