big league

noun

Synonyms of big leaguenext
1
: major league
2
: big time sense 2
—often plural
big-league
ˈbig-ˌlēg How to pronounce big league (audio)
adjective
big leaguer noun

Synonyms of big league

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Examples of big league in a Sentence

Broadway is the big leagues, and for big bucks theatergoers expect professionalism.
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.
Chicago finished August with 62 home runs, second-most by a big league club in a calendar month behind the 74 hit by the New York Yankees in August 2019. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 After being selected by the Philadelphia team in the third round of the 1972 MLB Draft, the Washington native made his big league debut on April 13, 1973, against the New York Mets at the age of 19. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026 Schmidt, who hasn’t pitched in a big league game since July 3 of last year, can’t wait to face stiffer competition out of the Yankees’ bullpen before the season ends. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026 DeGrom, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, has 2,008 strikeouts in 1,666 1/3 innings over 272 starts since his big league debut in 2014. — CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for big league

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of big league was in 1877

Rhymes for big league

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Browse Nearby Words

big-leaf maple
big league
big leg
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Cite this Entry

“Big league.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20league. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

big league

noun
: the highest level especially in baseball
big-league adjective
big leaguer noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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