any association of professional sports teams other than the major leagues, especially when the member teams are associated with or controlled by major-league teams, which use them as training and proving teams for promising players.
Origin
1880-85, Americanism
Related forms
minor-leaguer, noun
minor-league
[mahy-ner-leeg] /ˈmaɪ nərˈlig/
adjective
1.
of or pertaining to a minor league.
2.
of little import or consequence:
a painter with a minor-league talent.
Origin
1945-50, Americanism
Synonyms
2. insignificant, lesser, second-rate.
British Dictionary definitions for minor league
minor league
noun
1.
(US & Canadian) any professional league in baseball other than a major league Compare major league
2.
(modifier) of relatively little importance: that firm is very minor league
Slang definitions & phrases for minor league
minor-league
adjective phrase
Not of the highest quality or type; second-rate: This author exhibits a minor-league talent/ With my 50-word vocabulary I'd be a busher in that company, having had no minor league experience
[1926+; the original baseball use is found by 1884]