minor league

noun

: a league of professional clubs in a sport other than the recognized major leagues

minor-league

ˈmī-nər-ˈlēg 

adjective

Examples of minor league in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For the dozens of NHL, minor league and college players who make their off-season homes in Minnesota, informal morning skates at various arenas throughout the Twin Cities have been going on for decades. — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 17 July 2026

The city is home to an MLS Next Pro club, one of a few minor league sports teams in town. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 17 July 2026

Semien played in a minor league game Sunday in Hartford and took simulated at-bats in Brooklyn during the break, including some off right-hander Clay Holmes. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 16 July 2026

Gordon, who has minor league options remaining and five more years of team control, increases the value of a trade that can’t be viewed as anything other than a salary dump. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 15 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for minor league

• chincoteague
• blitzkrieg
• fatigue
• intrigue
• muskeg

Kids Definition

minor league

noun

: a professional sports league (as in baseball) that is not one of the major leagues