Major has 18 different meanings across 4 categories:
Noun · Verb · Adjective · Proper Noun
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines; below lieutenant colonel and above captain
"After years of service, Sergeant Miller finally received his promotion to major during the ceremony."
British statesman who was prime minister from 1990 until 1997 (born in 1943)
"The party's new policy on tax cuts will be debated by Major during the upcoming parliamentary session."
a university student who is studying a particular field as the principal subject
"she is a linguistics major"
A rank of officer in the army and the US air force, between captain and lieutenant colonel.
"The lieutenant promoted him to major after he successfully led the battalion during the exercise."
Title for an army officer with the rank of major.
In plain English: A major is an important person who holds a high rank in the military or police force.
"The band's biggest major is planning to release an album next month."
Usage: Use "major" as a noun to refer specifically to a military officer holding that specific rank. Do not use it as a standalone noun for other types of leaders or important people in casual conversation.
Used in a phrasal verb: major in.
"She decided to major in environmental science during her sophomore year of college."
In plain English: To major is to choose and focus your studies on one specific subject at school or college.
"The company plans to major in renewable energy next year."
Usage: To major in something means to choose it as your primary subject of study at a college or university. You use this verb specifically when describing an academic focus rather than a general hobby or interest.
greater in scope or effect
"a major contribution"
"a major improvement"
"a major break with tradition"
"a major misunderstanding"
greater in number or size or amount
"a major portion (a majority) of the population"
"Ursa Major"
"a major portion of the winnings"
of the field of academic study in which one concentrates or specializes
"his major field was mathematics"
(of a scale or mode) having half steps between the third and fourth degrees and the seventh and eighth degrees
"major scales"
"the key of D major"
of full legal age
"Since I am now a major, I can legally sign the contract without my parents' permission."
Greater in dignity, rank, importance, significance, or interest.
"The mayor's speech was far more significant than the remarks made by his minor staff members during the ceremony."
In plain English: Major means very important or serious.
"She is a major in history at the university."
Usage: Use major to describe something that holds greater importance, rank, or significance compared to others, such as calling a historical event major rather than minor. Avoid using it simply to mean "large" when referring to physical size, where big or large is more appropriate.
A surname.
"At the family reunion, Uncle Major shared stories of his days in law enforcement before taking over the restaurant business."
The word "major" comes from Latin maior, meaning greater or more important, and entered English via Middle English to describe someone of high rank or significance. As a noun referring to a military officer, it is actually a shortened form of "sergeant major."