メジャー

めじゃー
noun, na-adjective
major; mainstream; tape measure
descriptivetool
1. major, mainstream, well-known
Widely known, popular, or established. Used to describe things or people that are prominent and recognized by many.
メジャーなバンドだ。
It's a major (well-known) band.
メジャーデビューを果(は)たした。
They made their major debut.
あまりメジャーではないスポーツだが、実(じつ)は面白(おもしろ)い。
It's not a very mainstream sport, but it's actually interesting.
2. tape measure, measuring tape
A flexible ruler used for measuring lengths. Also called 巻き尺.
メジャーで長(なが)さを測(はか)る。
To measure the length with a tape measure.
メジャーを持(も)ってきてください。
Please bring a tape measure.
家具(かぐ)を買(か)う前(まえ)にメジャーで部屋(へや)の寸法(すんぽう)を測(はか)った。
I measured the room dimensions with a tape measure before buying furniture.

Usage

メジャー as an adjective (sense 1) means widely known or mainstream, often contrasted with マイナー (minor, niche, obscure). In music, メジャーデビュー specifically means debuting with a major record label.

メジャーリーグ refers to Major League Baseball (MLB) in the US; on its own, メジャー often means the same thing (メジャーで活躍(かつやく)する, to do well in the majors).

Common collocations

  • メジャーデビュー: major debut (with a major label)
  • メジャーリーグ: Major League (Baseball)
  • メジャーな: mainstream, well-known
  • メジャーで測(はか)る: to measure with a tape measure

Related Words

Antonym: マイナー (minor, niche)
Related: 定規(じょうぎ) (ruler, straightedge)
Antonym: インディーズ (indie)
Compare: 身長計(しんちょうけい) (stadiometer)
general
Added 2026.2.17 22:47 · Revised 2026.10.15 10:20
11500/11595_mejaa