major meaning and definition

MAJOR noun

Definition of major (noun)

1. a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines; below lieutenant colonel and above captain
2. British statesman who was prime minister from 1990 until 1997 (born in 1943)
   • synonyms: John Major, John R. Major, John Roy Major
3. a university student who is studying a particular field as the principal subject
   • "she is a linguistics major"
4. the principal field of study of a student at a university
   • "her major is linguistics"

MAJOR verb

Definition of major (verb)

1. have as one's principal field of study
   • "She is majoring in linguistics"

MAJOR adjective

Definition of major (adjective)

1. of greater importance or stature or rank
   • "a major artist"; "a major role"; "major highways"
   • antonym: minor
2. greater in scope or effect
   • "a major contribution"; "a major improvement"; "a major break with tradition"; "a major misunderstanding"
   • antonym: minor
3. greater in number or size or amount
   • "a major portion (a majority) of the population"; "Ursa Major"; "a major portion of the winnings"
   • antonym: minor
4. of the field of academic study in which one concentrates or specializes
   • "his major field was mathematics"
   • antonym: minor
5. of a scale or mode
   • "major scales"; "the key of D major"
   • antonym: minor
6. of greater seriousness or danger
   • "a major earthquake"; "a major hurricane"; "a major illness"
   • antonym: minor
7. of full legal age
   • antonym: minor
8. of the elder of two boys with the same family name
   • "Jones major"