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big league

noun

1
2
: big time sense 2
often used in plural
big-league adjective
big leaguer noun

Examples of big league in a Sentence

Broadway is the big leagues, and for big bucks theatergoers expect professionalism.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At the time, the Red Sox did not want to include a big league outfielder in the deal, and the Twins were not interested enough in the proposal presented. Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 26 Nov. 2025 Since making his big league debut in 2013, Gray ranks fourth among all MLB pitchers in starts (330), sixth in innings pitched (1,918) and seventh in strikeouts (1,925). Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 26 Nov. 2025 Castro began his professional baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates back in 2016 and eventually made his big league debut in 2021. Patrick McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025 At 33, incoming Washington Nationals manager Blake Butera is younger than many big league players. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for big league

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of big league was in 1877

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Big league.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20league. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

big league

noun
: the highest level especially in baseball
big-league adjective
big leaguer noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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