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By and large means “in general” or "on the whole" in most contexts, but in sailors’ lingo of yore, whence the phrase arose, by and large described a vessel alternately sailing as directly into the wind as possible (typically within about 45 degrees of the wind)—that is, by—and away from the direction from which the wind is blowing, with the wind hitting the vessel’s widest point—that is, large. (Note that this by also appears in the term full and by: "sailing as directly into the wind as possible and with all sails full.") William Bourne’s 1578 book Inventions or Devises offers insight into the phrase’s original use: “… to make a ship to draw or go but little into the water, and to hold a good wind, and to sail well both by and large, were very necessary …” As has happened with much nautical jargon, the phrase eventually came ashore. By and large, landlubbers welcomed it, first in the sense "in many directions" or "in all ways," and ultimately with its present meaning of "in general."
Examples of by and large in a Sentence
Michelle Williams, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
The event was, by and large, peaceful; there were a few people who were there as counter-protesters.
—Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2025
Take away his first start of the season, one during which Bailey Ober was pitching through an illness, and by and large, the starter has put up decent numbers this season.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 11 June 2025
The results, by and large, illustrate how humpback whales produce bubble rings as an inquisitive behavior while approaching boats.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for by and large
Cite this Entry
“By and large.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20and%20large. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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