minority

The state or condition of being smaller, inferior, or subordinate to something or someone else; lesserness.countableuncountable

The state of being a minor; youth, the period of a person's life prior to reaching adulthood.countableuncountable

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

Any subgroup that does not form a numerical majority.countableuncountable

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

A member of an ethnic minority.UScountableuncountable

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

A group of people seen as distinct who are subordinated and discriminated against in a society.countableuncountable

• 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

A Muslim.Indiacountableeuphemistic

Of or relating to a minority.attributiverelational

• They hold a minority interest in the company.

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

• minority government