: 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

Examples of at-large in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Notre Dame all but wrapped up an at-large spot in the College Football Playoff with a 49-35 victory at USC on Saturday afternoon. Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 1 Dec. 2024 Part 6 of Capitol’s new crop will introduce Sarah McBride, the representative for Delaware’s at-large seat in the 119th Congress. Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 30 Nov. 2024 Texas would still make the playoff with a loss and benefit from a week off prior to their first-round matchup as an at-large. Tom Layberger, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 Towson, which secured its second winning season in three years and its first seven-win season since 2019, will hope to get an at-large berth into the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 23 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for at-large 

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of at-large was in 1962

Dictionary Entries Near at-large

Cite this Entry

“At-large.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at-large. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!