: 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 2phrase
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
Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The position of commander-at-large was a temporary position.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2026
That’s particularly ominous math for the Big 12, which has neither won a game nor produced an at-large team during two seasons of the 12-team format.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Gregory Bovino, a commander-at-large of the Border Patrol, has toured cities on foot, followed by cameras and surrounded by masked agents.
—Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for at-large
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
The Journal Sentinel sent three questions to each of the candidates for the at-large seat.
—Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The position of commander-at-large was a temporary position.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2026
That’s particularly ominous math for the Big 12, which has neither won a game nor produced an at-large team during two seasons of the 12-team format.
—Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Gregory Bovino, a commander-at-large of the Border Patrol, has toured cities on foot, followed by cameras and surrounded by masked agents.
—Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for at-large
Cite this Entry
“At-large.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at-large. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
