1
a
: very important
a major poet/artist
He's one of the major figures in 19th-century U.S. history.
Researchers have announced a major advance/breakthrough in the treatment of cancer.
major American cities
a major event
a question of major [=great] importance
major rivers/roads
She played a major role in the negotiations.
a major earthquake
a writer's major works
No major changes are expected.
The problems do not appear to be (very) major.
b
always used before a noun
: large in number, amount, or extent
The grant covered a major part of the cost.
Butter is one of the major ingredients in the recipe.
The movie turned out to be a major disappointment. [=the movie was very disappointing]
(informal) A car like that costs major money. [=a lot of money]
2
: very serious or bad
None of his health problems are major.
a major illness/disease
He suffered a major heart attack.
She's having major surgery.
major depression
a major accident
3
music
a
of a scale
: having semitones between the third and fourth and the seventh and eighth notes
a major scale
the C-major scale [=the major scale that is in the key of C]
b
: based on a major scale
a major key
plural majors
1
: a military officer in the army, air force, or marines who ranks above a captain
an Army major
Major Smith
2
US
a
: the main subject studied by a college or university student
He chose history as his major and French as his minor.
What was your major in college?
b
: a student who has a specified main subject of study
In college, he was a history major.
a club for physics majors
Cite this Entry
“Major.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/major. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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