First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1major
adjective ma·jor \ˈmā-jər\
: very important
: large in number, amount, or extent
: very serious or bad
Full Definition of MAJOR
1
: greater in dignity, rank, importance, or interest <one of the major poets>
2
: greater in number, quantity, or extent <the major part of his work>
3
: having attained majority
4
a : notable or conspicuous in effect or scope : considerable <a major improvement> b : prominent or significant in size, amount, or degree <earned some major cash>
5
: involving grave risk : serious <a major illness>
6
: of or relating to a subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization
7
a : having half steps between the third and fourth and the seventh and eighth degrees <major scale> b : based on a major scale <major key> c : equivalent to the distance between the keynote and another tone (except the fourth and fifth) of a major scale <major third> d : having a major third above the root <major triad>
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Origin of MAJOR
Middle English maiour, from Latin major, comparative of magnus great, large — more at much
Related to MAJOR
- Synonyms
- biggish, good, goodly, handsome, healthy, largish, considerable, respectable, significant, sizable (or sizeable), substantial, substantive, tidy
- Antonyms
- inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, insubstantial, negligible, nominal
2major
noun
: a military officer in the army, air force, or marines who ranks above a captain
: the main subject studied by a college or university student
: a student who has a specified main subject of study
Full Definition of MAJOR
1
: a person who has attained majority
2
a : one that is superior in rank, importance, size, or performance <economic power of the oil majors> b : a major musical interval, scale, key, or mode
3
: a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps ranking above a captain and below a lieutenant colonel
4
a : an academic subject chosen as a field of specialization b : a student specializing in such a field <a history major>
5
plural : major league baseball —used with the
6
: any of several high-level tournaments in professional golf
See major defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MAJOR
1616
3major
verb
Definition of MAJOR
intransitive verb
: to pursue an academic major <majored in English>
See major defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MAJOR
1913
Other Education Terms
Major
biographical name Ma·jor \ˈmā-jər\
Definition of MAJOR
Sir John 1943– British prime min. (1990–97)
MAJOR Defined for Kids
1major
adjective ma·jor \ˈmā-jər\
Definition of MAJOR for Kids
1
: great or greater in number, quantity, rank, or importance <A new car is a major expense.>
2
: of or relating to a musical scale of eight notes with half steps between the third and fourth and between the seventh and eighth notes and with whole steps between all the others
2major
noun
Definition of MAJOR for Kids
: a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps ranking above a captain
Medical Dictionary
major
adjective ma·jor \ˈmā-jər\
Medical Definition of MAJOR
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