: 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
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
In 2022, Peltola flipped the red state’s at-large House district into Democratic control, becoming a rare member of her party to represent a state that went to Trump in both 2016 and 2020.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2026
Peltola, who was the first Alaska Native American and woman elected to the state’s at-large House seat, is seen as a popular candidate among Alaskans by Democratic leadership.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 12 Jan. 2026
Federal law enforcement is conducting at-large sweeps of neighborhoods in Minnesota, an approach that current and former ICE agents said could put citizens and law enforcement at risk.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for at-large
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Adjective
Not nearly good enough for NCAA Tournament at-large consideration.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
In 2022, Peltola flipped the red state’s at-large House district into Democratic control, becoming a rare member of her party to represent a state that went to Trump in both 2016 and 2020.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2026
Peltola, who was the first Alaska Native American and woman elected to the state’s at-large House seat, is seen as a popular candidate among Alaskans by Democratic leadership.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 12 Jan. 2026
Federal law enforcement is conducting at-large sweeps of neighborhoods in Minnesota, an approach that current and former ICE agents said could put citizens and law enforcement at risk.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 12 Jan. 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 15 Jan. 2026.
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