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
Kurtz is also tied with Kyle Schwarber last year for the longest in the big leagues across the last four seasons.
—
Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
As successful Nippon Professional Baseball position players like Kazuma Okamoto and Seiya Suzuki enjoy success in the big leagues, the Phillies are interested in the Japanese star as third baseman Alec Bohm heads toward free agency.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Vitello is the fiery college coach trying to find his footing — and his fire — in the big leagues.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Roberts downplayed the likelihood of the organization rushing Ryan up to the big leagues.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for the big leagues
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Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
As successful Nippon Professional Baseball position players like Kazuma Okamoto and Seiya Suzuki enjoy success in the big leagues, the Phillies are interested in the Japanese star as third baseman Alec Bohm heads toward free agency.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Vitello is the fiery college coach trying to find his footing — and his fire — in the big leagues.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Roberts downplayed the likelihood of the organization rushing Ryan up to the big leagues.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 15 May 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 20 May. 2026.
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