at-large

1 of 2

adjective

ˈat-ˈlärj 

: 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

Adjective

Under the at-large system, the Mansfield school district is one large voting district. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026

Set against the backdrop that no 9-3 at-large team has ever made the Playoff, Florida’s next exam will be one of response. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026

Phrase

Ballerinas, and dancers at large for that matter, are protective of their art form because challenging steps that take years to perfect are often seen as easy by nondancers. — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2026

And there’s something very comforting about going back to those things of our youth that were simpler than things are now — in our personal lives or the world at large. — Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1962, in the meaning defined above

Phrase

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for at-large

• discharge
• enlarge
• litharge
• recharge
• surcharge
• barge
• charge
• large
• marge
• sarge
• targe
• overcharge