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major in

A2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

To choose a subject as your most important subject at university — the main thing you're there to learn.

Literal meaning: 'Major' (principal or most important) + 'in' (a field). The meaning is transparent: to focus principally in a subject.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To choose a particular academic subject as your primary area of study at a North American university or college.

"She decided to major in environmental science because she wanted to work in conservation."

""I majored in political science and economics.""

— Barack Obama, commonly cited in biographical accounts of his time at Columbia University
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Standard North American English for declaring a university subject as one's primary area of study. Not used in British English, where students 'read' a subject at university or simply 'study' it. The noun form 'major' (e.g., 'What's your major?') is also very common. Used exclusively in educational contexts.

Commonly used with

biology English computer science economics psychology history

Forms

Base
major in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
majors in
he/she/it
Past simple
majored in
yesterday
Past participle
majored in
have + pp
-ing form
majoring in
continuous

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Synonyms

study specialize in concentrate in focus on read (BrE)

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