Definition of "major" in 英语

adjective

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

2. Greater in number, quantity, or extent.

   • the major part of the assembly

3. Notable or conspicuous in effect or scope.

4. Prominent or significant in size, amount, or degree.

   • to earn some major cash
   • a major exhibition

5. Involving great risk, serious, life-threatening.

   • to suffer from a major illness

6. Of full legal age, having attained majority.

   • major children

7. (education) Of or relating to a subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization.

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

   • major scale

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

11. Bell changes rung on eight bells.

12. (UK, dated) Indicating the elder of two brothers (or the eldest of three), appended to a surname in public schools.

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

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

noun

1. (military) 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. A person of legal age.

3. Ellipsis of major key.

4. Ellipsis of major interval.

5. Ellipsis of major scale.

6. A system of change-ringing using eight bells.

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

8. (education, Canada, US, Australia, New Zealand) 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.

9. Ellipsis of major term.

10. Ellipsis of major premise.

11. (bridge) Ellipsis of major suit.

12. (Canadian football) A touchdown, or major score.