major

adjective

ma·jor | \ ˈmā-jər

Definition of major

(Entry 1 of 4)

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 : of full legal age major children

4a : 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 The student's major field is geology.

7a : 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

major

noun

Definition of major (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : a person who has attained majority

2a : 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

4a : an academic subject chosen as a field of specialization

b : a student specializing in such a field a history major

5 majors plural : major league baseball —used with the

6 : any of several high-level tournaments in professional golf, tennis, or bowling

major

verb

majored; majoring; majors

Definition of major (Entry 3 of 4)

intransitive verb

: to pursue an academic major majored in English

Major

biographical name

Ma·jor | \ ˈmā-jər

Definition of Major (Entry 4 of 4)

Sir John 1943– British prime minister (1990–97)

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about major

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Examples of major in a Sentence

Adjective

He's one of the major figures in 19th-century U.S. history. Researchers have announced a major advance in the treatment of cancer. She played a major role in the negotiations. No major changes are expected. The grant covered a major part of the cost. Butter is one of the major ingredients in the recipe. None of his health problems are major. He suffered a major heart attack.

Noun

He chose history as his major and French as his minor. What was your major in college? In college, he was a history major. a club for physics majors

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Jones wants to major in mechanical engineering or sports broadcasting. — al, "3-star Jayson Jones talks new school and recruiting," 2 Sep. 2019 Death claimed award-winning conductor Erich Kunzel at age 74 and Wycliffe Johnson, a major figure in Jamaican music, at age 47. — orlandosentinel.com, "Today in history: September 1," 2 Sep. 2019 One of the major challenges to studying the arches is gaining the access necessary to make those vibrational measurements in the first place. — Jennifer Ouellette, Wired, "The Rock That Vibrates in Time With Earth, Wind, and Waves," 2 Sep. 2019 Wang, who never had played in the fourth round at a major until Sunday, advanced by surprising No. 2 seed and reigning French Open champion Ash Barty 6-2, 6-4. — Howard Fendrich, baltimoresun.com, "Serena Williams holds on for US Open win despite twisting ankle; Roger Federer dominates," 1 Sep. 2019 Tough decision: After adding outfielder Troy Stokes to the 40-man roster in the offseason, the Brewers chose to remove him Sunday in their flurry of moves to bolster the major-league team. — Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Brewers 4, Cubs 0: Christian Yelich's three-run homer clinches must-win series at Wrigley Field," 1 Sep. 2019 Ahn qualified for the US Open in 2008 at 16 but then went to play collegiately at Stanford, helping the Cardinal win the 2013 national championship, and didn’t get back to another major until the 2018 Australian Open. — Howard Fendrich, BostonGlobe.com, "Top seed Naomi Osaka ends run by Coco Gauff," 31 Aug. 2019 For the fourth consecutive year, scientists in Florida are preparing for a major hurricane, laying down sandbags and boarding up windows at research facilities along the state’s Atlantic coast. — David Malakoff, Science | AAAS, "As Hurricane Dorian bears down, researchers get ready," 31 Aug. 2019 Security surrounding the virtual caucusing had been a major concern, with many inside the party fearing a potential threat of the operation being hacked. — NBC News, "DNC expected to nix Iowa's 'virtual caucus' plan," 30 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Zverev has made a habit of toiling for five sets in the early rounds of majors. — Christopher Clarey, New York Times, "2019 U.S. Open Highlights: Coco Gauff Wins the Night," 29 Aug. 2019 This year, Eades had two scoreless appearances with the Twins in his first taste of the majors but had a 5.51 ERA with Triple-A Rochester. — Nathan Ruiz, baltimoresun.com, "Jonathan Villar surging toward Orioles’ first 20-20 season since Manny Machado’s in 2015," 24 Aug. 2019 As the winner of four of the last five majors, who is going to stop defending champion Djokovic in New York? — Danielle Rossingh, CNN, "US Open 2019: Five top talking points," 23 Aug. 2019 Williams and Sharapova have met in the finals of the other three majors and the 2012 Olympics but have never played each other in the U.S. Open. — Brian Mahoney, Houston Chronicle, "Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova to meet in first round at US Open," 22 Aug. 2019 That is her only Grand Slam tournament victory, but she's been in the quarterfinals or better of all four majors in her career. —

major

Definition of major

Synonyms & Antonyms for major

Examples of major in a Sentence

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