at large

1. A descriptive term for the election of public officials by an entire governmental unit rather than by subdivisions of the unit. For example, a delegate at large does not represent any specific district or locale, but speaks instead for a much wider group of people.

Idioms and Phrases

Free, unconfined, especially not confined in prison, as in To our distress, the housebreakers were still at large . [1300s]

At length, fully; also, as a whole, in general. For example, The chairman talked at large about the company's plans for the coming year , or, as Shakespeare wrote in Love's Labour's Lost (1:1): “So to the laws at large I write my name” (that is, I uphold the laws in general). This usage is somewhat less common. [1400s]

Elected to represent an entire group of voters rather than those in a particular district or other segment—for example, alderman at large , representing all the wards of a city instead of just one, or delegate at large to a labor union convention . [Mid-1700s]

Example Sentences

She said there would always be consequences for any prisoner who goes unlawfully at large, with any time spent outside their sentence added to the end of their tariff.

From BBC

“I think it’s going to be really inspiring for the community at large when they’re driving down Mendocino Avenue to see some hustle and bustle and really positive activity going on,” Stokes said.

From Los Angeles Times

Almost 24 hours later, police have named the suspect as local man Dezi Freeman, 56, and confirmed he is "still at large".

From BBC

"Emmett's family members, as well as historians and the public at large, have deserved a complete picture of the federal government's response," Ms Burnham said.

From BBC

He called the two countries "double engines" of economic growth in Asia and added that unity between India and China benefits the world at large.

From BBC

Related Words

• able 
• clear 
• easy 
• independent 
• loose 
• open 
• unfettered 
• unrestricted