The smaller or shorter arc that joins two points on a circle's curve or circumference is known as the minor arc. In the diagram below, the minor arc is  \( \overset{\Large\frown}{MR}\). A minor arc has a measure of less than \(180\) degrees.

minor arc MR

 

The bigger or longer arc that joins two points on a circle's curve or circumference is known as the major arc. In the diagram below, the major arc is  \( \overset{\Large\frown}{MJR}\). A major arc has a measure of greater than \(180\) degrees. 

major arc MJR

Note that we use three letters to represent a major arc as compared to just two for a minor arc.