minority

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)The state or condition of being smaller, inferior, or subordinate to something or someone else; lesserness.
2. (countable, uncountable)The state of being a minor; youth, the period of a person's life prior to reaching adulthood.

   “She also played a key role as dowager-regent during the minority of her son.”

3. (countable, uncountable)Any subgroup that does not form a numerical majority.

   “Most people agreed, but a sizable minority were upset by the decision.”

   “Chuhsiung was in the heart of Yi country. The Yi made up the largest minority in Yunnan, with over three million members as of 1990. And their biggest concentration was in the mountains around Chuhsiung.”

   “The case is the latest chapter in a decade-long struggle by the nation's elite minority to crush the powerful political machine founded by Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in another coup in 2006.”

4. (US, countable, uncountable)A member of an ethnic minority.

   “The company claims it has hired several minorities since the complaint was lodged.”

5. (countable, uncountable)A group of people seen as distinct who are subordinated and discriminated against in a society.

   “But we have seen that one important difference between women and other minorities is that women's attitudes and self-conceptions are conditioned more largely by interaction with both minority and dominant group members”

6. (India, countable, euphemistic, uncountable)A Muslim.

adj

1. (attributive, relational)Of or relating to a minority.

   “They hold a minority interest in the company.”

2. (attributive, usually)Empowered by or representing a minority (usually a plurality) of votes cast, legislative seats, etc., rather than an outright majority thereof.

   “minority government”