To study a particular subject as your main field of study at university or college.
To choose a subject as your most important subject at university — the main thing you're there to learn.
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
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
'Major' (principal or most important) + 'in' (a field). The meaning is transparent: to focus principally in a subject.
To choose a subject as your most important subject at university — the main thing you're there to learn.
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.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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