major general

noun

: a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps who ranks above a brigadier general and whose insignia is two stars

Examples of major general in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that a young major general, Mykhailo Drapatyi, would replace Syrskyi after days of street protests. — Reuters, NBC news, 22 July 2026

In 1777, the 19-year-old Marquis de Lafayette received a commission as major general in the Continental Army by the Second Continental Congress. — ABC News, 20 July 2026

In 1776, Greene was named a major general in the Continental Army, becoming one of General George Washington's most trusted men. — Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 3 July 2026

The toll includes five lieutenant generals, seven major generals and three former generals. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

French major général, from major, noun + général, adjective, general

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

major general

noun

: a military commissioned officer with a rank just below that of lieutenant general