major general

American  

noun

1. a military officer ranking next below a lieutenant general and next above a brigadier general.

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major general British  

noun

1. military an officer immediately junior to a lieutenant general

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Other Word Forms

• major-generalcy
  noun
• major-generalship
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of major general

First recorded in 1635–45

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

major general

"This is what we have been calling for a long time," military expert Bashir Galma, a retired major general, told the BBC.

From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026

The military paid tribute to the major general, who local media reported was 61 when he died, describing the loss as "tragic" and offered condolences to his family and former colleagues.

From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2026

“The F-22 is the world’s premier fighter,” said Charles Corcoran, a retired Air Force major general and a former F-22 pilot.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 26, 2026

Guest: Steven J. Lepper, retired Air Force major general and former deputy legal counsel to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

From Slate ● Dec. 2, 2025

Having achieved the rank of major general, Garfield resigned his U.S.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

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