big league

¹ American  

[big leeg] / ˈbɪg ˈlig /

noun

1. 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.

2. Informal. the area of greatest competition, highest achievement or rewards, etc..

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

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big-league ² American  

[big-leeg] / ˈbɪgˈlig /

adjective

1. Sports. of or belonging to a major league.

   a big-league pitcher.

2. Informal. among the largest, foremost, etc., of its kind.

   the big-league steel companies.

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big league Idioms  

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• big leaguer noun
• big-leaguer noun

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

It was a tale of two seasons for Smith, who dazzled with a .297/.357/.443 slash line through his first 75 big league games, but hit a snag over his next 59 games, slashing just .153/.248/.232.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

The middle infielder enters his 13th and final big league season with a total of 57 home runs.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 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

“It’s pretty tough,” said Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas, a 12-year big league veteran from Venezuela.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2025

So Langston is our big league rival, and even though they have everything our team would love to have, we have the one thing a team can’t buy.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen

Related Words

• big time
• majors