What does plurality mean?
Plurality means being more than one, and it often refers to a large group or collection: “a plurality of people” are people taken together, without suggesting that they are a strict majority. In elections and other forms of voting, plurality can mean the greatest number of votes received by any candidate or option. This sense differs from “majority,” because the leading candidate may have fewer than half of all votes cast. Plurality also has a linguistic sense, referring to the number of grammatical categories a language distinguishes, especially the distinction between singular and plural. The word is formal but widely understood, and its uses in public opinion, elections, law, and grammar make it a useful term whenever precision about numbers and voting shares matters.
The state of being more than one, especially a large number of people or things; also the greater part or largest individual share within a group.
"The archive contains a plurality of rare manuscripts."
A plurality need not constitute a majority.
A vote or voting arrangement in which the candidate or option receiving the greatest number of votes wins.
"The mayor was elected by plurality."
This usage is especially associated with elections in the United States and Canada.
The number of grammatical categories distinguished in a language, especially the distinction between singular and plural.
"The course examines the plurality of forms found in highly inflected languages."
This is a specialized grammatical usage.
Used when referring to multiple groups, shares, or qualities that constitute pluralities.
"The survey identified several competing pluralities within the electorate."
A plurality winner does not need more than half of the votes—only more votes than anyone else received.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does plurality come from?
Plurality comes from Latin plūralitas, a noun formed from plūrālis, meaning “of or relating to more than one.” The Latin plūrālis derives from plūs, meaning “more,” which also underlies English “plus.” The English word entered use in the 15th century and developed its political and voting senses alongside the older grammatical meaning.
Related word forms
How plurality is actually used
The word is formal and broadly used in British and American English. In political contexts, “plurality” describes the largest vote share and should not be confused with a majority, which normally means more than half of all votes cast.
Easily confused with plurality
Plurality refers to a number or share of more than one, while plural describes the grammatical form used for more than one person or thing.