Seniority
/ˌsiː.niˈɒr.ɪ.ti/noun
The state of being older, higher in rank, or having longer service than others.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin *senior*, meaning “older” or “elder,” the same root behind *senate*—literally the council of elders.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sen-
“to be old”
Latin
Latin
senex
“old man, elder”
Latin
Latin
senior
“older, elder”
Old French
Old French
seignur / seniorité
“seniority, precedence, elder status”
Middle English
English
seniorite
“priority or elder rank”
Modern English
English
seniority
“the state of being older or having precedence in rank or service”