major league

noun

1

: a league of highest classification in U.S. professional baseball

broadly : a league of major importance in any of various sports

2

: big time sense 2

major-league

ˈmā-jər-ˈlēg 

adjective

major leaguer noun

Synonyms of major league

• big(s)
• big time

Examples of major league in a Sentence

when you've landed a tenure-track position at that university, you're playing in the major leagues

Recent Examples on the Web

Kevin Lomon belongs in the latter category, pitching briefly for the Braves in 1996 during a major league career that ultimately lasted just 12 games. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Right-hander Braxton Roxby made his major league debut for San Francisco in the ninth and set down the Diamondbacks in order. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026

Brady House smacked a three-run homer, Jackson Kent pitched seven innings of one-run ball to earn his first major league win and the Washington Nationals beat the visiting Miami Marlins 9-2 on Friday. — Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

In spite of its frequency this season, the feat has only been performed 21 times in major league history, and the last Phillies player to accomplish it had been Mike Schmidt in 1976. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for major league

• chincoteague
• blitzkrieg
• fatigue
• intrigue
• muskeg

Kids Definition

major league

noun

: a league in the highest class of U.S. professional sports