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

Kymora Johnson scored 18 points for Virginia, which was the first women’s team to win a First Four at-large game to get into the tournament and to reach the Sweet 16. —Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2026

After all, the at-large field, currently at 37 teams, will be trimmed to 36 next season when the Pac-12 becomes officially recognized and receives an automatic bid for its champion. —Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026

Tony Maglio and writer-at-large James Hibberd. —Thr Staff, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026

David Pierce is editor-at-large and Vergecast co-host with over a decade of experience covering consumer tech. —David Pierce, The Verge, 27 Mar. 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