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

San Diego State was the only other member of the rebuilt nine-team Pac-12 with a reasonable chance to qualify for the at-large field. —Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026

But with the win, TCU may have inched closer to locking up an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament with its fourth win in the last five games. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Feb. 2026

Lunardi rated the Mustangs’ chances at receiving an at-large tournament bid in the mid-80 percent range. —Randy Jennings, Dallas Morning News, 21 Feb. 2026

Among them are Mayor Pro Tem James Mitchell, at-large Councilwoman Victoria Watlington and District 2’s Graham, all of whom initially voted to move the project forward. —Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1962, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for at-large

• discharge
• enlarge
• litharge
• recharge
• surcharge
• barge
• charge
• large
• marge
• sarge
• targe
• overcharge