: relating to or being a political representative who is elected to serve an entire area rather than one of its subdivisions
an at-large city councilor
an at-large election
at large
2 of 2phrase
1
a
: free of restraint or confinement
the escaped prisoner is still at large
b
: without a specific subject or assignment
critic at large
2
: as a whole
society at large
3
: as the political representative of or to a whole area rather than of one of its subdivisions
—used in combination with a preceding noun
a congressman-at-large
4
: at length
5
: in a general way
Examples of at-large in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
29 June 2026
David Pierce is editor-at-large and Vergecast co-host with over a decade of experience covering consumer tech.
—
David Pierce,
The Verge,
28 June 2026
Bill English,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
This coincides with the container shipping industry at large, with the number of cargo vessels sailing via the Suez Canal rising to 35 in the week ended June 28.
—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for at-large
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Adjective
Graham is one of several council members expected to run next year, alongside District 1 councilwoman Dante Anderson, at-large councilwomen Dimple Ajmera and Victoria Watlington and Mayor Pro Tem James Mitchell.
—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
29 June 2026
David Pierce is editor-at-large and Vergecast co-host with over a decade of experience covering consumer tech.
—
David Pierce,
The Verge,
28 June 2026
Phrase
In addition, problems at large banks — the failure of which could cause systemic issues — can be managed better if those banks have a larger cushion of reserves to draw on, either to get through a difficult period or to be resolved.
—
Bill English,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
This coincides with the container shipping industry at large, with the number of cargo vessels sailing via the Suez Canal rising to 35 in the week ended June 28.
—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for at-large
Cite this Entry
“At-large.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at-large. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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