minor league

¹

[mahy-ner leeg]

noun

Sports.

1. any association of professional teams other than the major leagues, as in baseball, especially when the member teams are associated with or controlled by major-league teams, which use them as training and proving teams for promising players.

minor-league

²

[mahy-ner-leeg]

adjective

1. Sports.,  of or relating to the minor leagues, especially in baseball.

2. Informal.,  of little import or consequence.

   a painter with minor-league talent.

   Synonyms: second-rate, lesser, insignificant

minor league

noun

1. any professional league in baseball other than a major league Compare major league

2. (modifier) of relatively little importance

   that firm is very minor league

Other Word Forms

• minor leaguer noun
• minor-leaguer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of minor league¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Origin of minor league²

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35; adjective use of minor league ( def. )

Example Sentences

He was relegated to backup duties, then ultimately the minor leagues.

From Los Angeles Times

In July, however, they demoted their No. 5 starter to the minors without a minor league starter ready to fill in.

From Los Angeles Times

If he hadn’t made it work, the Dodgers may never have had the courage to turn a minor league outfielder named Davey Lopes into a second baseman, where he became Russell’s double-play partner.

From Los Angeles Times

For the city of Ontario and its architects, the rendering of its minor league ballpark included a team name.

From Los Angeles Times

Hyeseong Kim, whom the Dodgers have bounced uneasily between the infield and the outfield, between the starting lineup and the bench, between the major leagues and minor leagues.

From Los Angeles Times