Phrase guide

major third

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A musical interval in Western music that is equal to or approximates a frequency ratio of 5/4. In twelve-tone equal temperament, it consists of four standard semitones, spans three degrees of the diatonic scale, and is enharmonically equivalent to a diminished fourth. Major scales are so named because of the major third interval between the tonic and mediant of a major tonic triad.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music

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Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

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Across languages

Translations

15 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 大三度 (dàsāndù) — interval of four semitones
  • Dutch: grote terts — interval of four semitones
  • Finnish: suuri terssi — interval of four semitones
  • French: tierce majeure — interval of four semitones
  • German: große Terz — interval of four semitones
  • Greek: τρίτη μεγάλη (tríti megáli) — interval of four semitones
  • Hawaiian: lele kolu — interval of four semitones
  • Hungarian: nagyterc — interval of four semitones
  • Icelandic: stór þríund — interval of four semitones
  • Italian: terza maggiore — interval of four semitones
  • Japanese: 長三度 (chōsando) — interval of four semitones
  • Polish: tercja wielka — interval of four semitones
  • Russian: больша́я те́рция (bolʹšája tɛ́rcija) — interval of four semitones
  • Swedish: stor ters — interval of four semitones
  • Swedish: durters — interval of four semitones