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

District 3 councilor John FitzGerald and at-large councilor Erin Murphy both issued similar statements urging the public not to rush to conclusions following the charge. —Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2026

UConn and Quinnipiac captured at-large bids in the 16-team bracket revealed Sunday afternoon. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026

The Billikens started 24-1 and were good enough to snag the at-large bid that eluded Indiana State in 2024. —Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026

The Lady Vols in Caldwell's second season had the fewest wins for an at-large team since 2018, and that led to the program's worst seeding since 2019. —CBS News, 20 Mar. 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