minority leader

noun

1. the party member who directs the activities of the minority party on the floor of a legislative body, as of the U.S. Congress.

minority leader

1. The leader of the political party that holds a minority of seats in either house of Congress or of a state legislature. Selected by their own party caucus es, minority leaders act as chief spokespersons and strategists for their parties.

Word History and Origins

Origin of minority leader¹

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50

Example Sentences

In terms of polling, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the minority leader in the Senate, addressed the party’s poor polling numbers at a press conference in late July.

From Salon

This year, as Senate minority leader, Schumer has repeatedly disregarded the views of his party’s voters.

From Salon

One demonstrator told Salon last week that Schumer’s vote was a sign the minority leader was “capitulating to fascism.”

From Salon

The Senate minority leader, Democrat Chuck Schumer, and nine others broke with their colleagues to vote to advance the bill to its final Friday evening vote.

From BBC

In a statement to the New York Times, senior Democrat Chuck Schumer, the House minority leader, said the move was "a critical strategic mistake".

From BBC