major league
1 Americannoun
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Baseball. either of the two top-tier baseball leagues (the American League and theNational League ) that are organized under and regulated by MLB.
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Sports. a league of corresponding stature in certain other sports, such as ice hockey, soccer, football, or basketball.
adjective
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Sports. of or relating to the major leagues, especially in baseball.
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Informal. belonging to or among the best or most important of its kind.
a major-league orchestra.
noun
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.
Kershaw might be needed beyond the role he was promised: save the team from using the current major league pitchers in blowouts or extra innings.
From Los Angeles Times
He ranked third among major league shortstops with 26 home runs last season, and he stole 26 bases.
From Los Angeles Times
No one else in major league history has hit one in the World Series.
From Los Angeles Times
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
