by and large

adverb

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Definition of by and large

: on the whole : in general

Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about by and large

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Did You Know?

By and large is originally a sailing term meaning "alternately close-hauled and not close-hauled." A ship that is sailing "close-hauled" is sailing as directly into the wind as possible (typically within about 45 degrees of the wind). The "by" part of the phrase means "close-hauled." (This "by" also appears in the term full and by, meaning "sailing with all sails full and close to the wind as possible.") "Large," by contrast, refers to a point of sail in which the wind is hitting the boat "abaft the beam," or behind the boat's widest point. A 1669 example of a variant spelling of "by and large" gives us a sense of the range implied: "Thus you see the ship handled in fair weather and foul, by and learge" (S. Sturmy, Mariners Magazine). The suggestion of a wide range carries over into the term's "in general" sense.

Examples of by and large in a Sentence

by and large, that information is accurate

Recent Examples on the Web And by and large there was very little notable change in the vote choice of religious groups between 2016 and 2020 – in fact, for most faiths, support for Trump ticked up slightly. — Ryan Burge, The Conversation, "Trump's support among religious groups held in 2020 vote...," 8 Apr. 2021 But the raucous partying was also, by and large, nonviolent, city officials say. — New York Times, "Miami Beach Opened Up and the Revelers Flocked In. Then Came the Crackdown.," 24 Mar. 2021 The piped in fake crowd noise was, by and large, annoying. — Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle, "How the coronavirus gave sports a much-needed dose of perspective," 11 Mar. 2021 But, by and large, AI is designed to do tasks and things that people do. — Jared Council, WSJ, "AI’s Impact on Businesses—and Jobs," 8 Mar. 2021 But by and large, the rectangular phone will stay familiar, safe, and maybe a little boring. — Julian Chokkattu, Wired, "The Future of Phone Design: Flexible Screens That Roll Up," 13 Jan. 2021 His family was comfortable and, by and large, accomplished. — Joan Acocella, The New Yorker, "Graham Greene’s Dark Heart," 15 Mar. 2021 In other words, meteorologists, by and large, are more focused on tracking tornadoes, hurricanes, and storms that threaten people’s lives. — Molly Longman, refinery29.com, "What Does It Really Mean When There’s A 20% Chance Of Rain? It’s Complicated," 15 Mar. 2021 The basics of the plot are, by and large, the same. — K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, "‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’: It’s Bigger, Longer, and Better Than the Original," 15 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'by and large.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near by and large

by any means necessary

by any/no stretch of the imagination

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Last Updated

11 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“By and large.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20and%20large. Accessed 19 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA