big league
noun
a major league, as in baseball.
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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
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.
See Examples For:
Ranking in the bottom five among big league pitchers in run support last season, the Dodgers couldn’t drum up support for their ace of aces Wednesday either.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 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
Berg had been a mediocre ballplayer at best, hitting .243 over fifteen big league seasons as a backup catcher.
From "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin
After all, he earned a shot with the big-league club after hitting .343 with 34 hits and 13 RBI through 27 games with Rocket City.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 2026
Sasaki emerged as a viable high-leverage relief option out of Dave Roberts’ bullpen upon his return to the club’s big-league roster in late September.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 25, 2026
So your giftee is a gourmand, a big-league griller, a hot-sauce head.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025
Dodger Stadium is where Kershaw first made his big-league debut back in May 2008, as a highly anticipated left-handed prospect with a big curveball and quiet demeanor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2025
Like a fast ball hurled by a big-league pitcher, the arrow could be caught in the hand, but would knock for a loop anyone it hit in the head.
From The Pirates of Shan by Goodwin, Harold L. (Harold Leland)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
