By and large means “in general” or "on the whole" in most contexts, but in sailors’ lingo of yore, whence the phrase arose, by and large described a vessel alternately sailing as directly into the wind as possible (typically within about 45 degrees of the wind)—that is, by—and away from the direction from which the wind is blowing, with the wind hitting the vessel’s widest point—that is, large. (Note that this by also appears in the term full and by: "sailing as directly into the wind as possible and with all sails full.") William Bourne’s 1578 book Inventions or Devises offers insight into the phrase’s original use: “… to make a ship to draw or go but little into the water, and to hold a good wind, and to sail well both by and large, were very necessary …” As has happened with much nautical jargon, the phrase eventually came ashore. By and large, landlubbers welcomed it, first in the sense "in many directions" or "in all ways," and ultimately with its present meaning of "in general."
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.
Amid the deep division and latest flare up, though, more classic local issues such as political experience and the affordability of living in the city have by and large received more air time from candidates than the conflict in the Middle East.—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025 Although finding the practical deployment sector is still, by and large, a work in progress.—Vibhu Sharma, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025 Winemakers, by and large, recognize terroir as a key component to wine growing, yet often disagree about how and where it is achieved.—Michelle Williams, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 The event was, by and large, peaceful; there were a few people who were there as counter-protesters.—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for by and large
Share