major league

¹

[ mey-jer leeg ]

noun

1. Baseball. either of the two top-tier baseball leagues (the American League and the National 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

[ mey-jer-leeg ]

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

noun

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

Other Words From

• ma·jor lea·guer ma·jor-lea·guer noun

Word History and Origins

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

His point of reference was his father, a longtime major league reliever.

From Washington Post

This offseason, the Washington Nationals have signed one free agent reliever to a major league contract.

From Washington Post

If his career had run its full course in the major leagues, Paige would have held every record there was.

From Washington Post

That year, Johnson became a regular with the Marlins and instantly made his presence known at the major league level.

From FiveThirtyEight

He made 39 starts, collected 29 hits and, for a few months, was a major league regular.

From Washington Post

The end of the embargo and resumption of diplomatic relations with Cuba could transform Major League Baseball.

From The Daily Beast

Major League Baseball, though, is still being tight-lipped about what the end of the embargo might mean for the sport.

From The Daily Beast

But the Playboy Playmate and hardcore animal-rights activist has long been a major-league advocate for the State of Israel.

From The Daily Beast

The New York Yankees shortstop played his final Major League Baseball game Sunday in Boston.

From The Daily Beast

George and his brother Richard are the founders of Major League Eating, but George is the performative half of the duo.

From The Daily Beast

I aspired to a place in the box of one of the major league clubs, but instead I joined the Madero revolution.

From Project Gutenberg

"I'm glad I'm going to a major league—that is, if they draft me," he added quickly.

From Project Gutenberg

Still, Ive got to remember that Im not playing in a major league.

From Project Gutenberg

Life in the training camp of a major league team was different than Joe had found it with the Pittstons.

From Project Gutenberg

Many a major league player had graduated from this same Central, and Joe—well, to put it modestly—had great hopes.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• big league
• big time
• majors