If there is a plurality of things, a number of them exist.
[formal]
Federalism implies a plurality of political authorities, each with its own powers. [+ of]
2. quantifier
If a candidate, political party, or idea has the support of a plurality of people, they have more support than any other candidate, party, or idea.
[formal]
The Conservative party retained a plurality of the votes. [+ of]
35% of the population, a plurality, believed that the economic reforms would resultin only insignificant change.
3. countable noun
A plurality in an election is the number of votes that the winner gets, when this is less than the total number of votes for all the other candidates.
[US]
He only got a plurality on November 3rd, just 49 percent.
4. countable noun
A plurality in an election is the difference in the number of votes between the candidate who gets the most votes and the candidatewho comes second.
[US]
Franklin had won with a plurality in electoral votes of 449 to 82.
More Synonyms of plurality
plurality in British English
(plʊəˈrælɪtɪ)
nounWord forms: plural-ties
1.
the state of being plural or numerous
2. mathematics
a number greater than one
3. US and Canadian
the excess of votes or seats won by the winner of an election over the runner-up when no candidate or party has more than 50 per cent
British equivalent: relative majority
4.
a large number
5.
the greater number; majority
6. another word for pluralism (sense 1)
plurality in American English
(pluˈrælɪti)
nounWord forms: plural-ties
1.
the excess of votes received by the leading candidate, in an election in which there are three or more candidates, over those received by the next candidate (distinguished from majority)
2.
more than half of the whole; the majority
3.
a number greater than one
4.
fact of being numerous
5.
a large number; multitude
6.
state or fact of being plural
7. Ecclesiast
a.
the holding by one person of two or more benefices at the same time; pluralism
b.
any of the benefices so held
Word origin
[1325–75; ME pluralite ‹ OF ‹ LL plūrālitās. See plural, -ity]
Examples of 'plurality' in a sentence
plurality
Ofcom recommended that websites should be included in a plurality review.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
A dynamic organisation should have a plurality of perspectives.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
1 (noun)
Definition
a large number
Federalism implies a plurality of political authorities.
Synonyms
multiplicity
a writer who uses a multiplicity of styles
variety
a store selling a wide variety of goods
diversity
the cultural diversity of British society
profusion
numerousness
2 (noun)
Definition
a majority
The party has retained a plurality of the votes.
Synonyms
majority
The majority of our customers come from out of town.
most
mass
The Second World War involved the mass of the population.
bulk
The vast bulk of imports and exports is carried by sea.
preponderance
The preponderance of the evidence strongly supports his guilt.
nearly all
overwhelming number
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bulk
Definition
the main part
The vast bulk of imports and exports is carried by sea.
Synonyms
majority,
mass,
most,
body,
quantity,
best part,
major part,
lion's share,
better part,
generality,
preponderance,
main part,
plurality,
nearly all,
greater number
in the sense of diversity
Definition
the quality of being different or varied
the cultural diversity of British society
Synonyms
difference,
diversification,
variety,
divergence,
multiplicity,
heterogeneity,
variegation,
diverseness
in the sense of mass
Definition
the main part or majority
The Second World War involved the mass of the population.
Synonyms
majority,
body,
bulk,
best part,
greater part,
almost all,
lion's share,
preponderance
Nearby words of
plurality
plump for something or someone
plunder
plunge
plurality
plus
plush
plutocrat
Synonyms of 'plurality'
plurality
Explore 'plurality' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of preponderance
The preponderance of the evidence strongly supports his guilt.