: 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 2phrase
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
Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 13 Dec. 2025
The fallout of this year's College Football Playoff bracket continues days after the selection committee ignited controversy with its at-large-bid teams.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
After one game of Boise State’s 31-game regular season, judging by reactions around the college basketball world, the Broncos’ chances of earning an at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament were already dead.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 10 Dec. 2025
The board’s three at-large members – Lenora Shipp, Monty Witherspoon and Liz Monterrey Duvall – are not up for reelection until 2027.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at-large
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Adjective
Later, Talley joined Vogue as its creative director and editor-at-large.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 13 Dec. 2025
The fallout of this year's College Football Playoff bracket continues days after the selection committee ignited controversy with its at-large-bid teams.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
After one game of Boise State’s 31-game regular season, judging by reactions around the college basketball world, the Broncos’ chances of earning an at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament were already dead.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 10 Dec. 2025
The board’s three at-large members – Lenora Shipp, Monty Witherspoon and Liz Monterrey Duvall – are not up for reelection until 2027.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at-large
Cite this Entry
“At-large.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at-large. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.
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