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 board will include two members from each existing school board and three at-large members from anywhere in the county, and elections for the new board won’t begin until 2030, with full staggered terms not in place until 2032. —Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026

The city’s primaries are June 16, along with a special election for an at-large city council seat. —Gary Fields, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026

Drew Broussard is the bookstores editor-at-large for Literary Hub and the host of The Lit Hub Podcast. —Drew Broussard, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026

The Hurricanes were the ACC’s sole representative in the playoff, sneaking into an at-large spot ahead of Notre Dame. —Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 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