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
The Yankees still have Aaron Judge, Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones, who is knocking on the door of the big leagues.
—
Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
There was Keider Montero, who rode the shuttle between Triple A and the big leagues all year and pitched his best in October.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Instead, the Dodgers will carry Justin Dean, who spent all of August and part of September in the big leagues primarily because Tommy Edman was on the injured list with a recurring ankle issue.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
Outfielder Kemp Alderman, selected by Miami in the second round in 2023 out of the University of Mississippi, appears to be the former college player closest to the big leagues.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the big leagues
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Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
There was Keider Montero, who rode the shuttle between Triple A and the big leagues all year and pitched his best in October.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Instead, the Dodgers will carry Justin Dean, who spent all of August and part of September in the big leagues primarily because Tommy Edman was on the injured list with a recurring ankle issue.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 30 Sep. 2025
Outfielder Kemp Alderman, selected by Miami in the second round in 2023 out of the University of Mississippi, appears to be the former college player closest to the big leagues.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
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 20 Oct. 2025.
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