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

Bond and co-sponsor, at-large Council member Matt Westmoreland, want the tax applied to 1155 Peachtree, which is owned by an LLC controlled by developer John Dewberry. —Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 2 June 2026

To earn their at-large bid, the Trojans made a run at the Sun Belt tournament title, beating in-state rival South Alabama twice in the double-elimination format to reach the semifinals. —Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2026

In 2004, Texas leaped past Cal for the final BCS at-large bowl slot without either team playing another game. —Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 1 June 2026

There will be another election for the at-large seat in May 2028. —Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 June 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