/ploo ral"i tee/ , n. , pl. pluralities .
1. the excess of votes received by the leading candidate, in an election in which there are three or more candidates, over those received by the next candidate (distinguished from majority ).
2. more than half of the whole; the majority.
3. a number greater than one.
4. fact of being numerous.
5. a large number; multitude.
6. state or fact of being plural.
7. Eccles.
a. the holding by one person of two or more benefices at the same time; pluralism.
b. any of the benefices so held.
[ 1325-75; ME pluralite pluralitas. See PLURAL, -ITY ]
Syn. 1. See majority .