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 Hurricanes earned the final at-large playoff spot over Notre Dame with a 27-24 win over the Fighting Irish in the season opener. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 20 Dec. 2025

After getting the last at-large bid in the playoff, the Hurricanes now move on, with a chance to win their first national championship since 2001 in their first appearance in the CFP. —CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025

Miami, meanwhile, won its last four games to rally past Notre Dame in the rankings for the final at-large spot in the field. —Manny Navarro, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025

For Republicans at-large, support has also dropped. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1962, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for at-large

• discharge
• enlarge
• litharge
• recharge
• surcharge
• barge
• charge
• large
• marge
• sarge
• targe
• overcharge