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
Like many premium defenders, Bader’s value with the glove bought him time in the big leagues for his bat to develop.
—
Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Beyond those two, the Mets have several other players knocking at the door of the big leagues.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
Another season would mark 16 in the big leagues for Goldschmidt, who has earned seven All-Star nods, five Silver Slugger Awards, four Gold Glove Awards and a Most Valuable Player Award in his storied career.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
With additional protection around him in the lineup, Witt will look for his first American League MVP season in the big leagues.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the big leagues
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Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
Beyond those two, the Mets have several other players knocking at the door of the big leagues.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
Another season would mark 16 in the big leagues for Goldschmidt, who has earned seven All-Star nods, five Silver Slugger Awards, four Gold Glove Awards and a Most Valuable Player Award in his storied career.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
With additional protection around him in the lineup, Witt will look for his first American League MVP season in the big leagues.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
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 4 Feb. 2026.
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