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By and large means “in general” or "on the whole" in most contexts, but in sailors’ lingo of yore, whence the phrase arose, by and large described a vessel alternately sailing as directly into the wind as possible (typically within about 45 degrees of the wind)—that is, by—and away from the direction from which the wind is blowing, with the wind hitting the vessel’s widest point—that is, large. (Note that this by also appears in the term full and by: "sailing as directly into the wind as possible and with all sails full.") William Bourne’s 1578 book Inventions or Devises offers insight into the phrase’s original use: “… to make a ship to draw or go but little into the water, and to hold a good wind, and to sail well both by and large, were very necessary …” As has happened with much nautical jargon, the phrase eventually came ashore. By and large, landlubbers welcomed it, first in the sense "in many directions" or "in all ways," and ultimately with its present meaning of "in general."
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Examples of by and large in a Sentence
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
With jet streams by and large moving from west to east, the eastern side of the Great Lakes historically have seen more lake-effect snow, said David Wright, a physical scientist at Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 2 Dec. 2024
Snider also pointed out that the firms by and large bought into two places: China and bitcoin.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2024
For one day, at least, streaming, had by and large, took a back seat to theatrically released blockbuster films and live event programming on broadcast television.
—Brad Adgate, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“By and large.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20and%20large. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.
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