major

Word family

Related topics: Music

ma·jor1 /ˈmeɪdʒə $ -ər/ S1 W1 AWL adjectiveadj

1 [usually before noun]SERIOUS SITUATION having very serious or worrying results 重大的，严重的 OPP minor

There is a major problem with parking in London.

在伦敦，停车是个很大的问题。

The loss of their goalkeeper through injury was a major setback for the team.

守门员因伤缺阵使该队的实力大打折扣。

He underwent major heart surgery recently.

他最近做了心脏大手术。

It could have sparked a major confrontation.

此事险些导致一场严重的冲突。

► see thesaurus at important, main

2 [usually before noun]IMPORTANT very large or important, when compared to other things or people of a similar kind 大的，重要的，主要的 OPP minor

major role/part/factor etc

Britain played a major role in the negotiations.

英国在谈判中起了重要作用。

There are two major political parties in the US.

美国有两大政党。

The government’s major concern is with preventing road accidents.

政府关注的大事是预防道路交通事故。

Smoking is one of the major causes of cancer.

吸烟是引发癌症的元凶之一。

the major developments in computer technology

计算机技术的重大进步

a major road

干道

► see thesaurus at big

3 [not before noun] American EnglishAmE spokenIMPORTANT very important 非常重要的

This is major? You got me out of bed for this?

这就叫做重要？你把我从床上叫起来就是为了这个？

4 APMa major key is based on a musical scale in which there are semitones between the third and fourth and the seventh and eighth notes 〔音乐〕大音阶的，大调的 → minor

a symphony in D major

D大调交响乐

Examples from the Corpus

major• Another major advantage is the insight it is capable of yielding into the social and communicative norms of the community.• The Spittal camp was round another major bend of the river, the last one, and not actually in sight.• The film still had nominees in all other major categories, including acting, directing and writing.• Smoking is a major cause of heart disease.• Gang activity that was limited to major cities has now spilled over to towns and rural areas.• Most major credit cards are accepted.• The dollar rose against a basket of 10 major currencies tracked by Finex, a financial futures exchange.• I thought we agreed to talk to each other before making any major decisions.• It's the chief executive who makes all the major decisions.• Tonight T-I again assured Dowty employees that there would be no major job losses.• An experienced producer at a major London agency was recently asked to list them for the benefit of newcomers.• Nuclear weapons are a major obstacle on the road to peace.• Confidence is a major part of leadership.• You have to grasp a major point.• Heavy traffic is a major problem in most cities.• I have to go on a major shopping trip before I start this job.• All the world's major sporting events can be seen on HHS TV.• She's had major surgery, but she's doing fine.• Think carefully before you decide on such a major undertaking.

major role/part/factor etc• However, there will be environmental pressures on packaging and this is going to be a major factor.• One major factor in causing seasonal variations in food supplies was the difficulty of storage.• There is no doubt that they played a major part in maintaining interest in abolition and emancipation through different phases of antislavery.• Anti-smoking activists are especially displeased that tobacco money will be playing a major part in the conventions.• This aggressive religious interference in Sri Lanka is a major factor in the destabilisation of the country.• Previously Warriors played a major role in the land war in the Gulf.• In fact, Santorini is the major part of it.• This leaves the east of the town, the heart of the City Challenge area, forming a major part of Middlesbrough.

Related topics: Military, College

major2 noun [countableC]

1. PMan officer of middle rank in the British or US army or marines, or in the US air force 少校 → drum major

2 especially American EnglishAmESEC the main subject that a student studies at college or university 〔大学的〕主修科目，专业

Her major is history.

她的主修科目是历史。

3 American EnglishAmESEC someone studying a particular subject as their main subject at college or university 〔大学中〕主修某科目的学生，某专业的学生

She’s a history major.

她是历史专业的学生。

4. the majors [plural]DSB the Major Leagues 〔美国〕职业棒球大联盟，职业棒球联合总会

Examples from the Corpus

the majors• All the majors and two of the mini-majors set up production subsidiaries in London.• Experiencing the majors was a pretty horrendous experience.• McGwire belted 65 homers to lead the majors in 1999.• Yet it was the only way to go if the labels they represent were to compete with the might of the majors.• They were chuffed when one of the majors offered her the lucrative contract.• The economic slump has dried up the big-ticket multi-billion yen projects that the majors used to thrive on.• And why is attendance down nearly 23 percent throughout the majors?

Examples from the Corpus

major• He would be going on to college and a major in Romance languages after high school.• One reason: a sharp drop in the number of undergraduate students choosing economics as a major.• I'm changing my major to political science.• Greg is a philosophy major.• I think it made him think about the majors in a different way.• All the majors and two of the mini-majors set up production subsidiaries in London.• That said, Therapy?'s move from minor to major has reaped well-deserved rewards.• "What was your major?" "Political Science".

major3 verb