Definition of "at large" in English

Prepositional phrase

1. On the loose; roaming freely; not confined.

   • For a nervous twenty-four hours, three wanted criminals were at large in the city.
   • The ambassador-at-large was designated to the Middle East as a region, rather than to a specific country.

2. In full, fully.

3. In general; as a whole.

   • Some people support the measure, but the community at large will probably be against it.

4. Having an electorate across multiple districts.

   • The city has five city council districts; however, the mayor is elected at large.