Specializing in a particular subject at college or university as your main area of study.
From Latin 'maior' (greater), suggesting the 'major' subject is the larger or more important focus. The academic term developed in American universities in the 19th century to describe concentrated study areas.
The opposite field is a 'minor,' which creates a funny historical accident: when colleges first developed these terms, students really did view their major as 'the greater' study and minor as 'the lesser,' but today many people care equally about both!
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