: 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
Mary Ramsey
january 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Jan. 2026
Hageman has served as the state’s at-large representative since 2023.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2025
The Hurricanes earned the final at-large playoff spot over Notre Dame with a 27-24 win over the Fighting Irish in the season opener.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 20 Dec. 2025
After getting the last at-large bid in the playoff, the Hurricanes now move on, with a chance to win their first national championship since 2001 in their first appearance in the CFP.
—CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at-large
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Adjective
No Republican or third-party candidates filed to run for an at-large seat.
—Mary Ramsey
january 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Jan. 2026
Hageman has served as the state’s at-large representative since 2023.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2025
The Hurricanes earned the final at-large playoff spot over Notre Dame with a 27-24 win over the Fighting Irish in the season opener.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 20 Dec. 2025
After getting the last at-large bid in the playoff, the Hurricanes now move on, with a chance to win their first national championship since 2001 in their first appearance in the CFP.
—CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
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 6 Jan. 2026.
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