at-large

1 of 2

adjective

: 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 2

phrase

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The other three are at-large members representing all county residents. Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2026 David Pierce is editor-at-large and Vergecast co-host with over a decade of experience covering consumer tech. David Pierce, The Verge, 5 Apr. 2026 There were only one at-large team from outside the Power 4 Conferences and the Big East. ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026 Kymora Johnson scored 18 points for Virginia, which was the first women’s team to win a First Four at-large game to get into the tournament and to reach the Sweet 16. Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for at-large

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1962, in the meaning defined above

Phrase

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of at-large was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“At-large.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at-large. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

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