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Synonyms

major league

1 American  
[mey-jer leeg] / ˈmeɪ dʒər ˈlig /

noun

  1. Baseball. either of the two top-tier baseball leagues (the American League and theNational League ) that are organized under and regulated by MLB.

  2. Sports. a league of corresponding stature in certain other sports, such as ice hockey, soccer, football, or basketball.


major-league 2 American  
[mey-jer-leeg] / ˈmeɪ dʒərˈlig /

adjective

  1. Sports. of or relating to the major leagues, especially in baseball.

  2. Informal. belonging to or among the best or most important of its kind.

    a major-league orchestra.


major league British  

noun

  1. a league of highest classification in baseball, football, hockey, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • major leaguer noun
  • major-leaguer noun

Etymology

Origin of major league1

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Origin of major-league2

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10; adjective use of major league ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On the cusp of what promises to be a bitter showdown with major league owners, the players’ union has no leader.

From Los Angeles Times

Last summer, the Spanish FA replaced its entire refereeing committee and became the first major league to separate the roles completely.

From BBC

As major league owners meet this week to plot strategy, the powers that be will consider the probable push for a salary cap.

From Los Angeles Times

After several seasons in the minors, he played his first major league game in September 2014.

From Los Angeles Times

Rojas, who has said this will be his last major league season as a player, has sustained a succession of lower-body injuries in recent years.

From Los Angeles Times