seniority
Noun: 1. The state of being older or higher in rank than others: This meaning refers to having greater age or a more advanced position within a hierarchy, often based on length of service. 2. Priority or precedence due to longer continuous service: This meaning specifically denotes the status, rights, or advantages granted because one has been part of an organization (like a company, union, or military) for a longer period than others.
Seniority is a non-count noun used to describe status based on age or length of service. It is a key concept in workplaces, unions, and organizations for determining priority in promotions, job assignments, layoffs, or benefits. - It is often used with prepositions like by, in, of, or based on. - Common collocations include: seniority system, seniority list, seniority rights.
- Promotions within the department are determined by seniority.
- She has more seniority than I do, so she gets first choice of vacation dates.
- The union contract protects workers' seniority during layoffs.
- His seniority in the company earned him a corner office.
- "Seniority takes precedence": Indicates that length of service is the most important factor in a decision.
- In matters of shift selection, seniority takes precedence.
- "To accrue seniority": To gradually gain or accumulate status based on length of service.
- Employees begin to accrue seniority from their first day of work.
- Senior (adj/n): Older in age or higher in rank. (e.g., , )
- Seniority-based (adj): Determined by seniority. (e.g., )
- Precedence: The condition of being considered more important.
- Priority: The fact or condition of being treated as more important.
- Longevity: Long duration of service (specifically for the service-based meaning).
- Tenure: The length of time a position is held (often in academic or official contexts).
- Juniority: The state of being younger or lower in rank (less common).
- Subordination: The state of being lower in rank or position.
- "Bump by seniority": A practice where an employee with more seniority can take the job of a less senior employee during layoffs.
- When the plant closed, workers could bump by seniority to other locations.
- "Seniority rule": A regulation that gives preference based on length of service.
- The seniority rule governed all transfers within the department.
- the property of being long-lived
- higher rank than that of others especially by reason of longer service