seniority: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal; primarily used in professional, academic, and official contexts.
Quick answer
What does “seniority” mean?
The state of being older or higher in rank, status, or service compared to others, especially within an organization.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state of being older or higher in rank, status, or service compared to others, especially within an organization.
The advantage, privilege, or priority gained from longer service or higher rank, often used to determine rights to promotions, job security, or choice of assignments.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Usage is identical, primarily in workplace, union, and institutional contexts.
Connotations
Often carries connotations of tradition, precedence, and sometimes inflexibility in systems of promotion.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “seniority” in a Sentence
[verb] + seniority: have/gain/accrue/lose seniorityseniority + [preposition]: seniority in/within/over[adjective] + seniority: relative/considerable/administrative seniorityVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in HR to determine layoffs (last in, first out), promotions, and benefits. E.g., 'The redundancy policy is based on seniority.'
Academic
Used in discussing hierarchies in organisations, sociology of work, or industrial relations.
Everyday
Less common. Might be used when discussing job security or workplace rights.
Technical
Used in legal, union, and HR documents defining employment rights and procedures.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “seniority”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “seniority”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “seniority”
- Using 'seniority' to mean 'old age' in a general sense (incorrect: 'His seniority makes him wise.').
- Using it as a countable noun (incorrect: 'He has a seniority.').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it can relate to age, in modern usage it primarily refers to length of service or higher rank within a specific organisation.
It's possible but less common. It can be used in clubs, military, or any hierarchical group to denote precedence based on time of membership.
'Seniority' specifically means longer time in a position or organisation, granting formal rights. 'Experience' is the knowledge/skill gained from doing something, which isn't always tied to time in one place.
It is neutral, describing a system. It can be viewed positively (rewarding loyalty) or negatively (stifling meritocracy), depending on context and perspective.
The state of being older or higher in rank, status, or service compared to others, especially within an organization.
Seniority is usually formal; primarily used in professional, academic, and official contexts. in register.
Seniority: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsiːniˈɒrəti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsiːniˈɔːrəti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Rising through the ranks by seniority.”
- “Next in line by seniority.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SENIOR-ity. It's the quality or state of being the SENIOR person — older in age or higher in rank.
Conceptual Metaphor
SENIORITY IS A LADDER (climbing based on time served); SENIORITY IS A SHIELD (protecting against job loss).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary factor in a 'seniority system'?