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

Palmieri has brought along former New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu and veteran journalist and The 19theditor-at-large Errin Haines as co-hosts, each bringing their experience to bear on the nonfiction show. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026

The ballot includes three at-large races for the Jackson County Legislature. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026

Phrase

That should raise red flags for not only health care providers but the public at large. — Robert Glatter, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

With a valuation that could be as high as $1 trillion, holding OpenAI to a lower bar would be perilous for investors and our economy at large. — Orson Aguilar, Fortune, 22 July 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