big league

noun

1

: major league

2

: big time sense 2

—often used in plural

big-league

ˈbig-ˌlēg 

adjective

big leaguer noun

Synonyms of big league

• big(s)
• major league

Examples of big league in a Sentence

Broadway is the big leagues, and for big bucks theatergoers expect professionalism.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Guardians drafted Travis Bazzana, who made his big league debut earlier this season. — ABC News, 13 July 2026

Milwaukee also selected Carsten Sabathia III, son of former big league pitcher CC Sabathia. — CBS News, 13 July 2026

Luke, who has some big shoes to fill given his father’s accomplishments – no pitcher has won more postseason games – wasn’t the only player from a big league family that the Yankees selected on Sunday. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 July 2026

It wasn’t meant to be, though, as an injury setback derailed the then-23-year-old’s 2025 season and put his big league dreams on hold. — Fisher Isbell, AJC.com, 11 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for big league

• blitzkrieg
• fatigue
• intrigue
• muskeg
• chincoteague

Kids Definition

big league

noun

: the highest level especially in baseball

big-league adjective

big leaguer noun