the big leagues
plural noun
US
: the two highest U.S. baseball leagues (the American League and the National League)
He always dreamed of playing in the big leagues.
—often used figurativelyShe's moving up to the big leagues in the television industry.
She's in the big leagues now, working for a major law firm in a large city.
Examples of the big leagues in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His time in the big leagues with the Orioles was his first time pitching in the big leagues.
—
Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Like Pat Murphy, Andy Green and Jayce Tingler, Stammen takes the job having never managed in the big leagues.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Guerrero ended the game, and his season, stranded on third base—90 feet from fulfilling his ambition of giving a World Series ring to his father, who has a Hall of Fame plaque but no ring to show for his 16 years in the big leagues.
—Steve Rushin, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025
Slick-fielding prospect Josh Kasevich could push up to the big leagues, too.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the big leagues
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Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Like Pat Murphy, Andy Green and Jayce Tingler, Stammen takes the job having never managed in the big leagues.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Guerrero ended the game, and his season, stranded on third base—90 feet from fulfilling his ambition of giving a World Series ring to his father, who has a Hall of Fame plaque but no ring to show for his 16 years in the big leagues.
—Steve Rushin, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025
Slick-fielding prospect Josh Kasevich could push up to the big leagues, too.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the big leagues
Cite this Entry
“The big leagues.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20big%20leagues. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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