Generally, a majority means a number greater than half of the total, in other words more than 50%. During elections, this is called an absolute majority. Candidates could also only require a relative majority or a qualified majority, depending on the office a candidate is running for. A relative majority–also known as a plurality–means a candidate needs the most votes to win, which is does not always require over 50%. A qualified majority–also called a super majority–requires a greater percentage than an absolute majority and is generally required when voting on particularly important issues.
Majority can also refer to the age at which a person reaches legal adulthood and can engage in activities that are limited to adults, such as voting. This is commonly called the age of majority.
[Last updated in June of 2020 by the Wex Definitions Team]