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major-general

major-general

5 6.9
A senior army officer who commands large groups of soldiers
  • noun
  • /ˈmeɪdʒər ˈdʒɛnərəl/
translation icon : mayor general
  • During the meeting, the commanders discussed strategies with Major General Smith, who oversees the entire operation.

And my special guest is US Space Force Major General Deanna Bert.

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Examples

  • You are a major general.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • When the Civil War broke out, he rose to the rank of major general.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Jackson became a major general...

    Academic text (2009)
  • His second in command, Major General Richard Butler, is in charge.

  • Served as a major general in the Army during the War of 1812.

    Blog text (4)
  • Please welcome to the show, Major General Marsha Anthony.

  • I have been authorized by President Lincoln himself... ...with the full blessing of the War Department... ...to offer you full command of the Army with the rank of major general.

  • Um, I've been promoted to major general... ...commanding all forces in and around the Shenandoah Valley.

  • Harper served in the War of 1812, attaining the rank of major general.

    Blog text (4)
  • The UN Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM) is commanded by a Ghanaian major general.

    Academic text (1996)

How High-Ranking

general
636 4.2
lieutenant general
  • Specialized
3 6.6
major-general
5 6.9
brigadier general
  • Specialized
4 7.0
colonel
208 7.7
major
  • Specialized
922 4.9
captain
247 2.9

Surface Forms

major-general singular

Etymology

The word major-general comes from the older phrase sergeant major general, where the sergeant part was later dropped. Here major originally meant 'greater' or 'chief' and general meant 'in overall command', so the title names a senior officer and not a 'major' above a 'general', which is why it refers to a high rank between brigadier and lieutenant-general.