Major vs. Main: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 28, 2023
Major is principal in size, extent, or importance; Main is chief or primary in an aspect.
Key Differences
Major often refers to the larger or more significant part of something, indicating its importance or dominance in a specific context. Main, however, is used to denote the primary or central element, around which other elements are structured or based.
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Dec 28, 2023
In the context of academic studies, a major is a student's primary focus or specialization. The main subject, on the other hand, refers to the central theme or topic being discussed or studied.
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Major can also suggest something of greater importance or impact in a broader context. Main is used to identify the most important or central part of something, like the main argument in a debate.
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Major events are those of significant impact or magnitude, often influencing many people or areas. Main events, in contrast, are the central or most prominent events, around which others may revolve.
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In a military context, Major is a rank, indicating a specific position within the hierarchy. Main, however, does not have a specific military connotation and generally refers to the foremost or leading element in non-military contexts.
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Dec 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition Context
Principal in importance or extent
Chief or primary aspect
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Implication of Impact
Greater significance or influence
Most important or central part
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Event Context
Events of significant magnitude
Central or most prominent events
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Military Association
A specific military rank
No direct military connotation
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Major and Main Definitions
Main
Most important or chief.
The main topic of the conference was climate change.
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Major
Greater in extent or size.
The major part of the book is devoted to history.
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Main
Principal or central in nature.
The main character in the story is a young detective.
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Main
Largest or most significant.
The main road leads directly to the city center.
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Main
Primary in a system or structure.
The main switch controls all the electricity in the house.
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Main
Foremost in rank or importance.
Her main concern was the safety of the children.
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Main
Exerted to the utmost; sheer
"They took her off the sled by main strength" (Jack London).
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Oct 19, 2023
Major
Of or relating to the field of academic study in which a student specializes.
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Major
Designating a scale or mode having half steps between the third and fourth and the seventh and eighth degrees.
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Main
(Obsolete) Of or relating to a continuous area or stretch, as of land or water.
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Major
Equivalent to the distance between the tonic note and the second or third or sixth or seventh degrees of a major scale or mode
A major interval.
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Main
The principal pipe or conduit in a system for conveying water, gas, oil, or other utility.
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Major
A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above captain and below lieutenant colonel.
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Major
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
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Major
One that is superior in rank, importance, or ability
An oil-producing country considered as one of the majors.
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Major
(Law) One recognized by the law as having reached the age of adulthood.
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Main
The main dish of a meal
"Unsurprisingly, the mains and their house-made condiments were the standouts of a recent meal" (Lindsey Tramuta).
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Oct 19, 2023
Main
Chief, most important, or principal in extent, size, or strength; consisting of the largest part.
Main timbers
Main branch of a river
Main body of an army
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Major
A chord containing a major third between the first and second notes and a minor third between the second and third notes.
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Main
(nautical) Belonging to or connected with the principal mast in a vessel.
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Main
(obsolete) Great in size or degree; important, powerful, strong, vast.
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Oct 19, 2023
Main
To mainly play a specific character or side, or with specific equipment, during a game.
He mains the same character as me in that game.
What race do you main and what is your favourite race to beat?
For new players, I recommend maining the dagger and using the axe as a backup weapon.
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Oct 19, 2023
Major
Greater in number, quantity, or extent.
The major part of the assembly
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Main
That which is chief or principal; the chief or main portion; the bulk, the greater part, gross.
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Major
Prominent or significant in size, amount, or degree.
To earn some major cash
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Main
(video gaming) The primary character that one plays in a video game in which one can play more than one character.
My WoW main has reached level cap and I’m on my way getting my first alt there as well.
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Oct 19, 2023
Major
(medicine) Involving great risk, serious, life-threatening.
To suffer from a major illness
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Main
A large cable or pipe providing utility service to an area or a building, such as a water main or electric main.
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Main
(informal) dish]] of a meal
I had scampi and chips for my main and a slice of cheesecake for dessert.
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Major
(education) Of or relating to a subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization.
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Major
Having intervals of a semitone between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees.
Major scale
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Major
Equivalent to that between the tonic and another note of a major scale, and greater by a semitone than the corresponding minor interval.
Major third
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Major
(postpositive) of a key Based on a major scale, tending to produce a bright or joyful effect.
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Oct 19, 2023
Main
The largest throw in a match at dice; in the game of hazard, a number from one to nine called out by a person before the dice are thrown.
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Major
Indicating the elder of two brothers, appended to a surname in public schools.
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Major
Occurring as the predicate in the conclusion of a categorical syllogism.
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Major
(military ranks) A rank of officer in the army and the US air force, between captain and lieutenant colonel.
He used to be a major in the army.
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Oct 19, 2023
Major
An officer in charge of a section of band instruments, used with a modifier.
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Oct 19, 2023
Main
The largest throw in a match at dice; a throw at dice within given limits, as in the game of hazard.
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Main
Strength; force; might; violent effort.
There were in this battle of most might and main.
He 'gan advance,With huge force, and with importable main.
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Main
The chief or principal part; the main or most important thing.
Resolved to rest upon the title of Lancaster as the main, and to use the other two . . . but as supporters.
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Main
The great sea, as distinguished from an arm, bay, etc. ; the high sea; the ocean.
With might and main they chased the murderous fox.
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Major
A large, commercially successful company, especially a record label that is bigger than an indie.
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Major
The principal subject or course of a student working toward a degree at a college or university.
Midway through his second year of college, he still hadn't chosen a major.
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Oct 19, 2023
Major
A student at a college or university specializing on a given area of study.
She is a math major.
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Oct 19, 2023
Main
Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, etc.; as, the main reason to go; the main proponent.
Our main interest is to be happy as we can.
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Oct 19, 2023
Main
Important; necessary.
That which thou arightBelievest so main to our success, I bring.
That Maine which by main force Warwick did win.
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Main
A principal pipe in a system that distributes water or gas or electricity or that collects sewage
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Main
Most important element;
The chief aim of living
The main doors were of solid glass
The principal rivers of America
The principal example
Policemen were primary targets
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Oct 19, 2023
Main
Of a clause; able to stand alone syntactically as a complete sentence;
The main (or independent) clause in a complex sentence has at least a subject and a verb
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Oct 19, 2023
Major
(entomology) A large leaf-cutter ant that acts as a soldier, defending the nest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Major
Greater in number, quantity, or extent; as, the major part of the assembly; the major part of the revenue; the major part of the territory.
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Oct 19, 2023
Major
Greater by a semitone, either in interval or in difference of pitch from another tone.
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Oct 19, 2023
Major
An officer next in rank above a captain and next below a lieutenant colonel; the lowest field officer.
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Oct 19, 2023
Major
That premise which contains the major term. It its the first proposition of a regular syllogism; as: No unholy person is qualified for happiness in heaven [the major]. Every man in his natural state is unholy [minor]. Therefore, no man in his natural state is qualified for happiness in heaven [conclusion or inference].
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Major
A commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines; below lieutenant colonel and above captain
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Major
British statesman who was prime minister from 1990 until 1997 (born in 1943)
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Major
A university student who is studying a particular field as the principal subject;
She is a linguistics major
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Major
The principal field of study of a student at a university;
Her major is linguistics
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Major
Have as one's principal field of study;
She is majoring in linguistics
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Major
Of greater importance or stature or rank;
A major artist
A major role
Major highways
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Major
Greater in scope or effect;
A major contribution
A major improvement
A major break with tradition
A major misunderstanding
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Major
Greater in number or size or amount;
A major portion (a majority) of the population
Ursa Major
A major portion of the winnings
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Major
Of the field of academic study in which one concentrates or specializes;
His major field was mathematics
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Oct 19, 2023
Major
Of greater seriousness or danger;
A major earthquake
A major hurricane
A major illness
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Oct 19, 2023
Major
Greater in importance.
The major issues were discussed first in the meeting.
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Dec 28, 2023
Major
Very significant or important.
A major breakthrough in research occurred recently.
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Dec 28, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Does main have a specific military use?
No, main does not have a military connotation.
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Dec 28, 2023
Can a subject be both major and main?
Yes, if it's the primary focus and of great importance.
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Dec 28, 2023
Can major and main be used interchangeably?
Not always, as they have different connotations.
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Dec 28, 2023
Does main imply a leading role?
Yes, it often indicates a leading or primary role.
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Dec 28, 2023
Is the main point always the focus of a discussion?
Generally, it's the primary focus or topic.
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Dec 28, 2023
Are major decisions always critical?
Usually, as they have greater importance.
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Dec 28, 2023
Is the main idea the most important in a text?
Yes, it's the central or most important point.
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Dec 28, 2023
Is the major part of something always the largest?
Typically, it refers to the larger portion.
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Dec 28, 2023
Can an issue be both major and main?
Yes, if it's both very important and the central focus.
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Dec 28, 2023
Is the main road the most important?
Yes, it's usually the primary or most significant road.
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Dec 28, 2023
Are major problems more serious than main problems?
Major problems are usually more significant.
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Dec 28, 2023
Does main refer to the center of something?
Yes, it often refers to the central or principal part.
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Dec 28, 2023
Can a movie have a major and main character?
Yes, if one is of greater importance and the other central.
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Dec 28, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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