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

Etymology

Origin of major general

First recorded in 1635–45

Example Sentences

“The British, French, Germans, and even Czech Republic were coordinating charter aircraft to get their citizens out,” said Randy Manner, a retired two-star Army major general, who said it took him days to be able to leave the United Arab Emirates.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

“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

Police said retired Major General Suresh Sallay was taken into custody at dawn in a suburb of the capital, Colombo in the most high profile arrest in the long-running investigation.

From Barron's

On Wednesday, provincial deputy commissioner of police, Major General Fred Kekana said nine of the arrested suspects are Lesotho nationals, while one is from Mozambique.

From BBC