 |
1 [singular also + plural verb] a small group of people or things within a much larger group [≠ majority]: 
Gaelic is still spoken in Ireland by a tiny minority.
Gaelic is still spoken in Ireland by a tiny minority. minority report (=a report by a minority of a group who do not agree with the others)
2 [countable usually plural]
a) SSR a group of people of a different race, religion etc from most other people in that country : the very large Russian minorities in Ukraine and Moldova
the very large Russian minorities in Ukraine and Moldova minority leader/businessman/student etc American English a school with a high proportion of minority students
a school with a high proportion of minority studentsb) American EnglishSSR someone who belongs to a group like this : Businesses are under pressure to hire minorities and women.
Businesses are under pressure to hire minorities and women.3 to form less than half of a group : Boys are very much in the minority at the dance class.
be in the/a minority
Boys are very much in the minority at the dance class.5 [uncountable] lawSSC the period of time when someone is below the age at which they become legally responsible for their actions
