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

In the private sector, larger firms such as Kanematsu, a major general trading company, are hiring savvy graduates such as Uta Yamaguchi who joined in April.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 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

Eiland, a retired major general, is an adviser to Black Cube, an Israeli company famous for having conducted surveillance for clients including Harvey Weinstein and former Congolese President Joseph Kabila.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 23, 2026

Gary Wattnem, an Army Reserve ambassador in Iowa and a retired major general, said the deaths have only strengthened Iowa reservists’ resolve to serve.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 5, 2026

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

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

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