Meaning of major In English

• 0 more important, bigger, or more serious than others of the same type:

  • All of her major plays have been translated into English.

  • Sugar is a major cause of tooth decay.

  • There are two problems with this situation, one major, one minor.

  • Citrus fruits are a major source of vitamin C.

  • There has been a major change in attitudes recently.

  • The United States is a major influence in the United Nations.

• 1 belonging or relating to a musical scale that is generally thought to have a happy sound:

  • the key of C major

  • a concerto in A major

• 2 an officer of middle rank in the British, US, and many other armed forces:

  • Her father was a major in the Scots Guards.

  • Major Winters/Richard Winters

  • [ as form of address ] Thank you, Major.

• 3 the most important subject that a college or university student is studying, or the student himself or herself:

  • What is your major, English or French?

  • She was a philosophy major at an Ivy League college.

• 4 an important sports competition, especially in tennis or golf:

  • The Australian Open is the first major of the year.

  • Serena Williams has won more majors than any other tennis player.

• 5 to study something as your main subject at college or university:

  • She majored in philosophy at Harvard.

• 6 more important, bigger, or more serious than others of the same type:

  • Fresh fruits are a major source of vitamin C.

  • We awaited major new developments in the peace talks.

• 7 based on a scale (= series of musical notes) in which there is a whole step (= sound difference) between each note except between the third and fourth notes and the seventh and eighth notes:

  • a major scale

  • a major chord

• 8 a military officer of middle rank, above a captain

• 9 the most important subject that a college or university student is studying, or the student studying that subject:

  • an English major

• 10 very large, important, or powerful, especially when compared with others of the same type:

  • a rail link connecting major European cities

  • Exports play a major role in key sub-sectors.

  • Our prices are lower on 2,000 items than those of all our major competitors.

  • major companies/corporations/retailers

• 11 a major change, difference, etc. affects a lot of people or organizations, sometimes in a way that causes difficulties for them:

  • Lack of skilled workers has become a major problem in recent years.

  • Governments now face major challenges in addressing problems in the global economy.

  • a major barrier/obstacle/boost

• 12 one of the most important companies in a particular industry:

  • The majors are projected to collect up to $1 trillion in profits over the next 10 years.

  • Among the majors, this airline ranks first for on-time arrivals .

  • oil/industry/supermarket majors