MAJOR | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Middle English: from Latin, comparative of magnus ‘great’; perhaps influenced by French majeur

important, serious, or significant

important

• the use of drugs is a major problem

(of a scale) having intervals of a semitone between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees.

relating to musical scale

(appended to a surname in public schools) indicating the elder of two brothers.

elder

(of a term) occurring as the predicate in the conclusion of a categorical syllogism.

relating to logical term

a rank of officer in the army and the US air force, above captain and below lieutenant colonel.

military rank

a major key, interval, or scale.

musical key, interval, or scale

a major organization or competition

organization or competition

• the majors have swept up the smaller independent companies in licensing deals
• it's not unreasonable to believe someone can win all four majors
• the oil majors had a profit bonanza

a student's principal subject or course

main subject or course

• many students would ignore courses outside their major

a major term or premise.

logical premise or term

suit in bridge

• South was anxious to mention his four-card major and bid one spade

a goal.

goal

specialize in (a particular subject) at college or university

specialize in subject

• I was trying to decide if I should major in drama or English