Pronunciations (7)
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/ˈmeɪ.d͡ʒə(ɹ)/
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[ˈmeɪ̯d͡ʒə(ɹ)]
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
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[ˈmɛjd͡ʒə(ɹ)]
Pronunciation notes
- British
- Southern
- Standard
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[ˈmeɪ̯d͡ʒɚ]
Pronunciation notes
- Canada
- General-American
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[ˈmeːd͡ʒɚ]
Pronunciation notes
- Canada
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[ˈmæɪ̯d͡ʒə(ɹ)]
Pronunciation notes
- Australia
- New-Zealand
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ˈmeɪ.dʒə(ɹ)
Adjective
Greater in dignity, rank, importance, significance, or interest.
Usage- attributive
- Examples
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More examples (1)
The US supreme court has ruled unanimously that natural human genes cannot be patented, a decision that scientists and civil rights campaigners said removed a major barrier to patient care and medical innovation.
Greater in number, quantity, or extent.
Usage- attributive
- Synonyms
- Examples
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the major part of the assembly
The three major religions are Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.
More examples (1)
The five major religions are Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
Notable or conspicuous in effect or scope.
Usage- attributive
- Synonyms
- Examples
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The building underwent a major renovation.
More examples (1)
Believing as he did that all differences of view, not only on questions of major principle and strategy but also in matters of organization, in the last resort 'reflected' class antagonisms […]
Prominent or significant in size, amount, or degree.
Usage- attributive
- Examples
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to earn some major cash
a major exhibition
More examples (2)
I gotta take a whiz test to my PO / I know I failed 'cause I done smoked major weed, bro
[B]y the time I turned back to the screen, Jamie was fully dressed, major bummer.
Involving great risk, serious, life-threatening.
Usage- attributive
- Examples
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to suffer from a major illness
Of full legal age, having attained majority.
- Examples
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major children
Of or relating to a subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization.
Having intervals of a semitone between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees. (of a scale)
- Examples
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major scale
Equivalent to that between the tonic and another note of a major scale, and greater by a semitone than the corresponding minor interval. (of an interval)
- Examples
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major third
Equivalent to that between the tonic and another note of a major scale, and greater by a semitone than the corresponding minor interval. (of an interval) Having a major third above the root.
- Examples
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major triad
(of a key) Based on a major scale, tending to produce a bright or joyful effect.
Usage- postpositional
Bell changes rung on eight bells.
Indicating the elder of two brothers (or the eldest of three), appended to a surname in public schools.
Usage- UK usage
- Dated
Occurring as the predicate in the conclusion of a categorical syllogism. (of a term)
Containing the major term in a categorical syllogism. (of a premise)
Noun
A rank of officer in the army and the US air force, between captain and lieutenant colonel.
- Examples
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He used to be a major in the army.
A rank of officer in the army and the US air force, between captain and lieutenant colonel. An officer in charge of a section of band instruments, used with a modifier.
A person of legal age.
- Antonyms
A system of change-ringing using eight bells.
A large, commercially successful company, especially a record label that is bigger than an indie.
- Examples
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More examples (1)
At the end of last year, the band re-signed to XL for another three albums, despite being chased by majors that included Island, says manager Mike Champion of Midi Management.
The principal subject or course of a student working toward a degree at a college or university.
Usage- Australia
- Canada
- New-Zealand
- US usage
- Examples
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Midway through his second year of college, he still hadn't chosen a major.
The principal subject or course of a student working toward a degree at a college or university. A student at a college or university specializing on a given area of study.
Usage- Australia
- Canada
- New-Zealand
- US usage
- Examples
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She is a math major.
A touchdown, or major score.
Usage- Canadian
A goal.
An elder brother (especially at a public school).
Usage- British
- Dated
- Slang
A large leaf-cutter ant that acts as a soldier, defending the nest.
Verb
Used in a phrasal verb: major in.
Usage- Intransitive
- Related words
Adjective
of greater importance or stature or rank
- Antonyms
- Examples
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a major artist
a major role
More examples (1)
major highways
greater in scope or effect
- Antonyms
- Examples
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a major contribution
a major improvement
More examples (2)
a major break with tradition
a major misunderstanding
greater in number or size or amount
- Antonyms
- Examples
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a major portion (a majority) of the population
Ursa Major
More examples (1)
a major portion of the winnings
of the field of academic study in which one concentrates or specializes
- Antonyms
- Examples
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his major field was mathematics
(of a scale or mode) having half steps between the third and fourth degrees and the seventh and eighth degrees
- Antonyms
- Examples
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major scales
the key of D major
of greater seriousness or danger
- Antonyms
- Examples
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a major earthquake
a major hurricane
More examples (1)
a major illness
of full legal age
- Antonyms
of the elder of two boys with the same family name
- Examples
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Jones major
Noun
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines; below lieutenant colonel and above captain
- Broader terms
a university student who is studying a particular field as the principal subject
- Examples
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she is a linguistics major
the principal field of study of a student at a university
- Examples
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her major is linguistics
Verb
have as one's principal field of study
- Broader terms
- Examples
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She is majoring in linguistics