: 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

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.
The tournament will feature teams from conferences including the Big Ten, Big 12 and Big East, along with additional at-large participants. Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 28 Feb. 2025 The Ugly Eagles are 17-3-1 and are expected to land an at-large berth in the soccer NorCals that will be announced on Sunday. Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025 In a 14-team field where the SEC and Big Ten got four bids each, the ACC and Big 12 two bids each and the Group of 5 one bid, that would leave one potential at-large spot — unless Notre Dame finished in the top 14. Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025 That would leave just one at-large bid up for grabs every year, with two bids going to ACC and Big 12 and one last bid going to the best Group of Five team. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for at-large

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of at-large was in 1962

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Cite this Entry

“At-large.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at-large. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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