major

adjective

1. 1

   Greater in dignity, rank, importance, significance, or interest.

   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.

2. 2

   Greater in number, quantity, or extent.

   the major part of the assembly

   The three major religions are Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.

   The five major religions are Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism.

3. 3

   Notable or conspicuous in effect or scope.

   The building underwent a major renovation.

   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 […]

4. 4

   Prominent or significant in size, amount, or degree.

   to earn some major cash

   a major exhibition

   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.

5. 5

   Involving great risk, serious, life-threatening.

   to suffer from a major illness

6. 6

   Of full legal age, having attained majority.

   major children

7. 7

   Of or relating to a subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization.

8. 8

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

   major scale

9. 9

   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)

   major third

10. 10

    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.

    major triad

11. 11

    (of a key) Based on a major scale, tending to produce a bright or joyful effect.

12. 12

    Bell changes rung on eight bells.

13. 13

    datedIndicating the elder of two brothers (or the eldest of three), appended to a surname in public schools.

14. 14

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

15. 15

    Containing the major term in a categorical syllogism. (of a premise)

noun

1. 1

   A rank of officer in the army and the US air force, between captain and lieutenant colonel.

   He used to be a major in the army.

2. 2

   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.

3. 3

   A person of legal age.

4. 4

   A system of change-ringing using eight bells.

5. 5

   A large, commercially successful company, especially a record label that is bigger than an indie.

   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.

6. 6

   The principal subject or course of a student working toward a degree at a college or university.

   Midway through his second year of college, he still hadn't chosen a major.

7. 7

   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.

   She is a math major.

8. 8

   A touchdown, or major score.

9. 9

   A goal.

10. 10

    datedAn elder brother (especially at a public school).

11. 11

    A large leaf-cutter ant that acts as a soldier, defending the nest.

12. 12

    Variant of major keyEllipsis of major key.

13. 13

    Variant of major intervalEllipsis of major interval.

14. 14

    Variant of major scaleEllipsis of major scale.

15. 15

    Variant of major termEllipsis of major term.

16. 16

    Variant of major premiseEllipsis of major premise.

17. 17

    Variant of major suitEllipsis of major suit.

18. 18

    Variant of mayor and mairobsoleteAlternative form of mayor and mair.

verb

1. 1

   Used in a phrasal verb: major in.

Forms

plural

majors

comparative

more major

superlative

most major

past tense

majored

past participle

majored

present participle

majoring

third person singular

majors