mi·nor·i·ty 
/məˈnorəti/ noun
plural mi·nor·i·ties /məˈnorəti/ noun 1 [singular] : a number or amount that is less than half of a total
▪ The proposal is opposed by a minority of voters. 2 [singular] : the group that is the smaller part of a larger group
▪ The Republicans/Democrats are now the minority in the Senate. ▪ Opponents of the new law appear to be in the minority. [=there are fewer people who oppose the new law than who support it] 3 [count] a : a group of people who are different from the larger group in a country, area, etc., in some way (such as race or religion)
▪ the country's ethnic minorities ▪ The group is becoming an influential minority in the community.
b chiefly US : a member of such a group — usually plural ▪ The college encouraged women and minorities to apply. ▪ The company is making an effort to hire more minorities. 4 [noncount] law : the time or period when a person is not yet old enough to have the full rights of an adult — compare majority 3
▪ The proposal is opposed by a minority of voters.
▪ The Republicans/Democrats are now the minority in the Senate. ▪ Opponents of the new law appear to be in the minority. [=there are fewer people who oppose the new law than who support it]
▪ the country's ethnic minorities ▪ The group is becoming an influential minority in the community.
b chiefly US : a member of such a group — usually plural ▪ The college encouraged women and minorities to apply. ▪ The company is making an effort to hire more minorities.
— minority adjective always used before a noun
▪ Republicans/Democrats are the minority party in the Senate. ▪ a minority group
▪ Republicans/Democrats are the minority party in the Senate. ▪ a minority group
