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big league

noun

1
2
: big time sense 2
often used in plural
big-league adjective
big leaguer noun

Examples of big league in a Sentence

Broadway is the big leagues, and for big bucks theatergoers expect professionalism.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The San Diego Padres announced their first big league signing of the offseason on Monday. Patrick McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025 Ryan burst onto the scene, making four electric big league starts before blowing out. Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2025 At 33, incoming Washington Nationals manager Blake Butera is younger than many big league players. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025 Held annually during the MLB Winter Meetings, the Rule 5 Draft serves as a mechanism to keep clubs from hoarding big league ready players in their minor league system. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for big league

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of big league was in 1877

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Cite this Entry

“Big league.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20league. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

big league

noun
: the highest level especially in baseball
big-league adjective
big leaguer noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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