big top

American  

noun

1. the largest or main tent of a circus.

2. a circus.

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big top British  

noun

1. the main tent of a circus

2. the circus itself

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big top Idioms  

1. The main tent of a circus, as in The high-wire act is almost always in the big top . [c. 1840]

2. Underworld slang for a maximum-security prison, as in He was sentenced to ten years in the big top . [1950s]

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Etymology

Origin of big top

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Example Sentences

“You wanna feel something/You know is real, something/beyond the paler things,” the chorus sings in the opening number, describing the promise of the big top.

From New York Times • Feb. 25, 2024

This moment offers the rest of us an opportunity to embrace a vision of compassion toward animals not just under the big top but across every facet of our society.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2023

Interestingly, I think that Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka made it okay for big top male athletes to feel comfortable saying that they, too, struggle with their own mental health.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 14, 2021

“I chose to have open shelving in the kitchen instead of big top cabinets,” says Castillo.

From Washington Post • Dec. 1, 2021

Performers leaving the back end of the big top disappear into dressing tents and emerge in street clothes.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen