/ ˈmeɪdʒə(r); NAmE / adjective , noun , verb
■ adjective
1.
[ usually before noun ] very large or important :
a major road
major international companies
to play a major role in sth
We have encountered major problems.
There were calls for major changes to the welfare system.
OPP minor ➡ note at main
—see also minor-league
2.
[ not before noun ] ( NAmE ) serious :
Never mind—it's not major.
3.
( music ) based on a scale (= a series of eight notes) in which the third note is two whole tones / steps higher than the first note :
the key of D major
—compare minor
4.
( NAmE ) related to sb's main subject of study in college
■ noun
1.
[ C ] ( abbr. Maj. ) an officer of fairly high rank in the army or the US air force :
Major Smith
He's a major in the US army.
—see also drum major , sergeant major
2.
[ C ] ( NAmE ) the main subject or course of a student at college or university :
Her major is French.
—compare minor
3.
[ C ] ( NAmE ) a student studying a particular subject as the main part of their course :
She's a French major.
4.
the majors [ pl. ] ( NAmE , sport ) the major leagues
■ verb
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- major in sth
- major on sth
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Latin , comparative of magnus great; perhaps influenced by French majeur .