BusinessJuly 18, 2026
supermajor
SOO-per-may-jer
Definition
One of the world's largest, publicly traded, vertically integrated oil and gas companies.
Etymology
The term is a compound of the Latin-derived prefix 'super-' (meaning above or beyond) and the noun 'major' (referring to a significant oil company). It emerged in the late 20th century to describe the elite tier of global energy conglomerates.
In the news
The article refers to BP as a supermajor to highlight its massive scale and global influence in the energy sector as it shifts its investment strategy. This classification distinguishes it from smaller, more specialized independent energy companies.
BP Winds Down Venture Capital Portfolio
Read the full article ↗JPT Homepage