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noun Uncommon

seniority

see-nih-O-rih-tee

Seniority (noun) means the length of time someone has been part of an organization compared to others, often used to decide who gets certain privileges or promotions first. Example: “She got the corner office because of her seniority.”

noun
1
The length of time someone has been part of an organization compared to others, often used to decide who gets certain privileges or promotions first.
"She got the corner office because of her seniority."
"Vacation days are allocated partly based on seniority."

How to use seniority

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHow long you have been somewhere compared to everyone else, and the perks that come with it.

Common pairings
seniority system gain seniority based on seniority

Word forms

seniorities plural

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Fill the gap

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She got the corner office because of her _____.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin senioritas, built on Latin senior, "elder."

Origin: Medieval Latin

longevity higher rank senior status higher status

Related words

Rhymes for seniority

See all rhymes for seniority →

Frequently asked questions

What does “seniority” mean?

The word “seniority” means the length of time someone has been part of an organization compared to others, often used to decide who gets certain privileges or promotions first. In plain terms, how long you have been somewhere compared to everyone else, and the perks that come with it.

How do you pronounce “seniority”?

“Seniority” is pronounced see-nih-O-rih-tee (/sinˈjɔɹɪti/ in IPA).

How do you use “seniority” in a sentence?

Here is “seniority” used in a sentence: “She got the corner office because of her seniority.”

What part of speech is “seniority”?

“Seniority” is a noun.

Where does the word “seniority” come from?

The word “seniority” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin senioritas, built on Latin senior, "elder.".

Is “seniority” a common word?

“Seniority” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial