big league

noun

1

: major league

2

: big time sense 2

—often 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

Schmidt, who hasn’t pitched in a big league game since July 3 of last year, can’t wait to face stiffer competition out of the Yankees’ bullpen before the season ends. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026

After the Braves squandered an early 3-0 lead against Tyler Glasnow, who made his first big league start in 3 1/2 months, Matt Olson led off the eighth with a double to left-center against Tanner Scott (1-4). — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

DeGrom, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, has 2,008 strikeouts in 1,666 1/3 innings over 272 starts since his big league debut in 2014. — CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

The road game at Clemson will be their first big league test. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 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