plurality

Everyday

1. (voting) More votes than any other single person or party, but not more than half of all votes. tree →
2. A large number or variety of things: "a plurality of opinions". tree →
3. (grammar) The state of being plural, more than one. tree →

In the lessons

In citizenship lessons on elections, a plurality wins in "first past the post" systems (UK, US, Canada): the candidate with the most votes wins even without a majority. In discussions, "plurality" means many different views living side by side.

Examples

• She won with a plurality, but not a majority. tree →
• A plurality of the class voted for pizza. tree →
• The town has a plurality of languages and cultures. tree →
• In first past the post, a plurality is enough to win. tree →
• The plurality of nouns is shown by adding -s. tree →
• Democracy needs a plurality of voices. tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable or "a plurality". Maths: with 3 candidates getting 40%, 35% and 25%, the first has a plurality (most votes) but not a majority (more than 50%). In UK English "relative majority" means the same.