: 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
Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
The problem is that there might be historically few at-large berths available to mid-major conferences as the preposterous sums of money coursing through the sport accentuates the divide between the haves and have-nots.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Now they’re set to earn their first invitation to the Big Dance — by winning the conference tournament or with an at-large bid — and perhaps even host a pair of games.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2026
El Dorado won both of those games, received an at-large berth and got hot in the playoffs.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 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 Longhorns' 76-70 win upped their record to 18-11 and more importantly, a 9-7 mark in the SEC, which likely seals an at-large bid into March Madness with games remaining at Arkansas and at home against Oklahoma before the SEC Tournament.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
The problem is that there might be historically few at-large berths available to mid-major conferences as the preposterous sums of money coursing through the sport accentuates the divide between the haves and have-nots.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Now they’re set to earn their first invitation to the Big Dance — by winning the conference tournament or with an at-large bid — and perhaps even host a pair of games.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2026
El Dorado won both of those games, received an at-large berth and got hot in the playoffs.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 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 4 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
