minor league

¹ American  

[mahy-ner leeg] / ˈmaɪ nər ˈlig /

noun

Sports.

1. any association of professional teams other than the major leagues, as in baseball, especially when the member teams are associated with or controlled by major-league teams, which use them as training and proving teams for promising players.

---

minor-league ² American  

[mahy-ner-leeg] / ˈmaɪ nərˈlig /

adjective

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

2. Informal.  of little import or consequence.

   a painter with minor-league talent.

   Synonyms:

   second-rate , lesser , insignificant

---

minor league British  

noun

1. any professional league in baseball other than a major league Compare major league

2. (modifier) of relatively little importance

   that firm is very minor league

---

Other Word Forms

• minor leaguer noun
• minor-leaguer noun

Etymology

Origin of minor league¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Origin of minor-league¹

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35; adjective use of minor league ( def. )

Example Sentences

He has not missed a cut on the toughest circuit in world golf since March, yet trails in the rankings behind someone who has been playing in the minor leagues.

From BBC

“Running the minor league pitching sounds more intriguing to me than being a bullpen coach in the big leagues,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

In past Olympic baseball tournaments, MLB has declined to stop its season, so minor league and college players have populated the rosters of many countries, including the United States.

From Los Angeles Times

The Angels’ minor league system is widely regarded as one of baseball’s thinnest.

From Los Angeles Times

The NBA was not much more than a minor league 45 years ago.

From Los Angeles Times