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

Brian Cashman has said his defense is big league ready since the winter, and Boone raved about it on Friday. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026

Yunior Tur permitted six runs over two innings in his big league debut. — ABC News, 18 July 2026

Burns threw 100 innings at Wake Forest as a junior, then 109 1/3 innings between the minors and big leagues last season. — C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 17 July 2026

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