the big leagues
plural noun
US
: the two highest U.S. baseball leagues (the American League and the National League)
He always dreamed of playing in the big leagues.
—often used figurativelyShe's moving up to the big leagues in the television industry.
She's in the big leagues now, working for a major law firm in a large city.
Examples of the big leagues in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But honestly, for me, just not to let his lack of opportunity in the big leagues deter him.
—
Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
For the first time in the big leagues, umpires’ ball and strike calls can be challenged and either upheld or overturned after a quick review of the pitch data.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Anderson was raised in Los Angeles and went on to play with the California Angels, as the team was known at the time, after breaking into the big leagues in 1994.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
Harvard-Westlake’s most notable alumni are in the big leagues, but there are more currently playing professional baseball at the minor league level.
—Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the big leagues
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Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
For the first time in the big leagues, umpires’ ball and strike calls can be challenged and either upheld or overturned after a quick review of the pitch data.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Anderson was raised in Los Angeles and went on to play with the California Angels, as the team was known at the time, after breaking into the big leagues in 1994.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
Harvard-Westlake’s most notable alumni are in the big leagues, but there are more currently playing professional baseball at the minor league level.
—Tarek Fattal, Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the big leagues
Cite this Entry
“The big leagues.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20big%20leagues. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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