at-large

1 of 2

adjective

: relating to or being a political representative who is elected to serve an entire area rather than one of its subdivisions
an at-large city councilor
an at-large election

at large

2 of 2

phrase

1
a
: free of restraint or confinement
the escaped prisoner is still at large
b
: without a specific subject or assignment
critic at large
2
: as a whole
society at large
3
: as the political representative of or to a whole area rather than of one of its subdivisions
used in combination with a preceding noun
a congressman-at-large
4
: at length
5
: in a general way

Examples of at-large in a Sentence

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.
Adjective
Loyola finished fifth in the eight-team Mission League with a 7-10 league record and qualified for the playoffs as an at-large team. Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 25 May 2026 The passage of that TIF district was controversial and was opposed by current Mayor John Laesch, who was an alderman at-large on the Aurora City Council at the time. R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026 The new format featuring 32 automatic bids and 44 at-large berths will start with a 12-game opening round funneling into the broader tournament starting on the traditional Thursday with … 64 teams. Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026 Cosmetics' Chief Integrated Marketing Officer, along with PEOPLE editor-at-large Rubenstein, welcomed guests and toasted Legge's success. Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for at-large

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1962, in the meaning defined above

Phrase

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of at-large was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“At-large.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at-large. Accessed 27 May. 2026.

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