sēnˈyȯrəd.ē, -yär-, -rətē, -i noun
( -es )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Medieval Latin senioritat-, senioritas, from Latin senior + -itat-, itas -ity
1. : the quality or state of being senior : priority especially of birth, office, or service
next in seniority of age — Philip O'Connor
the historical seniority of the experimental field — B.F.Skinner
specifically : a status attained by length of continuous service (as in a company, institution, or organization or in a department, job, rank, or occupational group) to which are attached by custom or prior collective agreement various rights or privileges (as preference in tenure, priority in promotion, and choice of work or shift) on the basis of ranking relative to others
arguments over the relative weight to be given to seniority and ability — Dale Yoder
seniority system
seniority list
seniority rights
2. often capitalized : the body of senior fellows of a British college
a matter brought before the seniority