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major Definition

ma·jor (mā′jər)

adjective

    1. greater in size, amount, number, or extent
    2. greater in importance or rank
  2. of full legal age
  3. constituting the majority: said of a part, etc.
  4. ☆ Educ. designating or of a field of study in which a student specializes and receives a degree
  5. Music
    1. designating an imperfect interval greater than the corresponding minor by a semitone
    2. characterized by major intervals, scales, etc. in a major key
    3. designating a triad having a major third
    4. based on the scale pattern of the major mode

Etymology: ME maiour < L major, compar. of magnus, great: see magni-

intransitive verb

☆ Educ. to pursue a major subject or field of study; specialize to major in physics

noun

  1. Etymology: < majorthe

    a superior in some class or group

  2. Etymology: Fr

    U.S. Mil. an officer ranking above a captain and below a lieutenant colonel
  3. ☆ Educ.
    1. a major subject or field of study
    2. a student specializing in a specified subject a music major
  4. Law a person who has reached full legal age
  5. Music a major interval, key, etc.

major Idioms

the Majors

☆ Baseball the Major Leagues

Major Definition

Ma·jor (mā′jər)

Major, John 1943-; Brit. politician: prime minister (1990-97)

major Synonyms

major

modif.

  1. Greater

    higher, larger, dominant, primary, upper, exceeding, extreme, ultra, over, above; see also better 2, superior.

  2. Important

    significant, main, influential; see important 1, 2, principal.

major Synonyms

major

n.

field of study, subject, field, program, area; see also field 4.

major Usage Examples

Converse of object

win: Now all he needs to do is win two majors in a season, as Inkster has done.

Preposition: at

end: Followed upstream of more deposits but less major at top end of wood.

Modifies a noun

  • problem: Diabetes is becoming a major health problem in many parts of the world.
  • factor: A major factor is my mood at the time of watching such images.
  • city: With new direct links to many major European cities, Riga has now opened its doors to the European tourist.
  • role: Starring Malcolm McDowell in his first major film role it is a lyrical tale of teenage rebellion in an English public school.
  • contribution: The Division makes major contributions to cardiovascular research in the University of Glasgow.
  • project: Many of London's major projects have actually taken a great deal longer.

Modifying Another Word

  • fairly: While on the surface this appears a relatively trivial issue it has fairly major implications for the practical implementation of the qualifications.
  • only: We are the only major retail supplier providing bundled service products under our own brand, using our own people.
  • quite: Finally, in c1960, Sebastian Comper supervised a further overall enlargement resulting in a church of quite major proportions.
  • really: Unfortunately many drips ( excluding diggers of course ) means water level rising so may be really major problem by next week.
  • also: But there are, of course, also major domestic uncertainties.

Preposition: in

season: Now all he needs to do is win two majors in a season, as Inkster has done.