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 city council is an at-large district, meaning anyone living in the city is eligible to serve. — Haley Parsley october 2, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Members of the board are elected to at-large seats and do not represent a specific area. — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Phrase

New York’s editor in chief David Haskell, senior men’s style editor Samuel Hine and editor at large Erik Maza cohosted a dinner at Bistrot Ha on the Lower East Side, with support from Canada Goose. — Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

The suspect remains at large, White Lake Township police said Monday afternoon. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 28 Sep. 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