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The definition of a major is a military officer of a high rank or the subject in which a person focuses his academic study and gets his degree.

(noun)

An example of a major is an army officer who ranks above captain.
An example of a major is English or math.

The definition of major is something that is greater, very consequential, serious or important.

(adjective)

An example of major is a huge decision about your future.
An example of major is an event such as heart surgery.

See major in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

1. greater in size, amount, number, or extent
2. greater in importance or rank
of full legal age
constituting the majority: said of a part, etc.
☆ Educ. designating or of a field of study in which a student specializes and receives a degree
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

Origin: 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

Origin: < majorthe
a superior in some class or group
Origin: Fr
U.S. Mil. an officer ranking above a captain and below a lieutenant colonel
☆ Educ.
1. a major subject or field of study
2. a student specializing in a specified subject: a music major
Law a person who has reached full legal age
Music a major interval, key, etc.

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

See major in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Greater than others in importance or rank: a major artist.
Great in scope or effect: a major improvement.
Great in number, size, or extent: the major portion of the population.
Requiring great attention or concern; very serious: a major illness.
Law Having attained full legal age.
Of or relating to the field of academic study in which a student specializes.
Music
a. Designating a scale or mode having half steps between the third and fourth and the seventh and eighth degrees.
b. Equivalent to the distance between the tonic note and the second or third or sixth or seventh degrees of a major scale or mode: a major interval.
c. Based on a major scale: a major key.

noun

a. Abbr. MAJ or Maj or Maj. A commissioned rank in the U.S. Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above captain and below lieutenant colonel.
b. One who holds this rank.
One that is superior in rank, importance, or ability: an oil-producing country considered as one of the majors.
Law One who has reached full legal age.
a. A field of study chosen as an academic specialty.
b. A student specializing in such studies: a linguistics major.
Logic
a. A major premise.
b. A major term.
Music
a. A major scale, key, interval, or mode.
b. A chord containing a major third between the first and second notes and a minor third between the second and third notes.
majors Sports The major leagues.

intransitive verb ma·jored, ma·jor·ing, ma·jors

To pursue academic studies in a major: majoring in mathematics.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English majour

Origin: , from Latin māior; see meg- in Indo-European roots

British banker and conservative politician who served as prime minister from 1990 to 1997. During his administration he advocated privatization, anti-inflationary budget discipline, and negotiations for peace in Northern Ireland.

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