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

August polling at-large told a similar story, with one poll from Marquette Law School reporting a 40% approval rating, but Americans largely disapproved of the war in Iran and expressed economic concerns across the board. — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

When the College Football Playoff selection committee pores over data points and debates the merits of each at-large hopeful in early December, the results of Week 2 are bound to loom large. — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Phrase

All five defendants are believed to live in Russia and remain at large, the Justice Department said. — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Folks still have the chance to buy tickets, grab a drink and walk the festival grounds, but the 2026 World Series of Barbecue will not have a main stage or activities organized for the public at large. — Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 15 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