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definitions

major general

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noun

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

Origin of major general

First recorded in 1635–45
Related formsma·jor-gen·er·al·cy, ma·jor-gen·er·al·ship, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for major general

Historical Examples of major general

  • The order of Major-General Howard, above referred to, was read.

    War from the Inside

    Frederick L. (Frederick Lyman) Hitchcock

  • And here President Davis has made me a major-general, and I don't know!

    The Long Roll

    Mary Johnston

  • What's the good of being a major-general if you've got to stick close to the pike?

    The Long Roll

    Mary Johnston

  • By God, sir, if I were as excellent a major-general as I am a cook!

    The Long Roll

    Mary Johnston

  • "There are Campbells to slay, and suppers to eat," the Major-General had said.

    John Splendid

    Neil Munro

British Dictionary definitions for major general

major general

noun

military an officer immediately junior to a lieutenant general
Derived Formsmajor-generalship or major-generalcy, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012