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

Victoria Watlington, another at-large council member who is thought to be a contender, was not included in the poll. —Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2026

Incumbent Mayor Ras Baraka, a progressive Democrat, will face seven challengers, and 19 candidates will vie for four at-large council seats when voters go to the polls Tuesday. —Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 12 May 2026

Santa Margarita got one of the three at-large berths in Division 2. —Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 10 May 2026

Mission League champion Notre Dame and at-large qualifier Agoura also earned Division 1 berths, giving the Daily News area six teams in the top division. —Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 9 May 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