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

The Ducks are in their fourth year and qualified for region play for the first time as an at-large team. —Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026

The two predicted the candidate pool could include at-large councilwomen Dimple Ajmera and Victoria Watlington, District 1 councilwoman Dante Anderson and District 2 councilman Malcolm Graham. —Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026

The new format will seed the top four teams in a field that includes seven automatic qualifiers and five at-large selections. —Oc Register, 26 Apr. 2026

Drew Broussard is the bookstores editor-at-large for Literary Hub and the host of The Lit Hub Podcast. —Drew Broussard, Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 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