big league

¹ American

[big leeg] / ˈbɪg ˈlig /

noun

Sports. a major league, as in baseball.

His debut in the big leagues was as a relief pitcher for the Dodgers in the final game of the regular season.
Informal. the area of greatest competition, highest achievement or rewards, etc..

He's a local politician who isn't ready for the big league.

big-league ² American

[big-leeg] / ˈbɪgˈlig /

adjective

Sports. of or belonging to a major league.

a big-league pitcher.
Informal. among the largest, foremost, etc., of its kind.

the big-league steel companies.

big league Idioms

An area of tough competition and high rewards; the largest or foremost of its kind. For example, Winning an Oscar put this unknown actress in the big league. The term alludes to the major (big) leagues of American baseball. [Late 1800s] Also see big time, def. 2.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of big league¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Origin of big-league²

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; adjective use of big league

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Then the new guy, Ryan Ward, made the final out in his big league debut, robbed of a hit and a chance to keep chipping away by a diving Troy Johnston in right field.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

Though he posted a .190/.292/.310 slash line at the big league level, prospect analyst Jim Callis still has high hopes for Freeland.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

William Blair analyst Neal Dingmann thinks the acquisition price represents a “compelling valuation for a big league company.”

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

Some are living up to expectations while some are surpassing them, so who are they and how have they made the transition to the big league look easy?

From BBC • Oct. 22, 2025

Berg had been a mediocre ballplayer at best, hitting .243 over fifteen big league seasons as a backup catcher.

From "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023