PoliticsJuly 14, 2026

supermajority

ˌsuːpər.məˈdʒɔːr.ɪ.ti

Definition

A legislative voting block so large that it exceeds a simple majority, typically allowing the party to pass major changes like constitutional amendments without needing support from the opposition.

Etymology

The word combines the Latin prefix 'super-' (meaning over, above, or beyond) with the noun 'majority.' It entered common political usage in English to describe thresholds beyond 50% that are required for significant legislative or constitutional actions.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe how Bukele's Nuevas Ideas party possesses enough control in the legislative assembly to unilaterally alter constitutional rules regarding term limits. This extreme concentration of power is key to understanding how his administration was able to bypass previous reelection bans.

El Salvador’s ruling party clears the way for Bukele’s 3rd term

Read the full article ↗

WRAL

Related words

Learn words like this every day

Meet new words every morning.

Newspoken pulls carefully chosen words from the day’s news — with clear definitions, context, and light review that makes them stick. Get it on your phone.