big game

noun

1
: relatively large animals sought or taken by hunting or fishing especially for sport
2
: an important objective especially when involving risk

Examples of big game in a Sentence

They traveled to Africa to hunt big game.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The week ahead Week eight in high school football has the chance to be one of the dramatic in the regular season with many big games. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 The news comes two days after the Walt Disney Company announced that Disney+ will stream ESPN's and ABC's broadcast of the big game. — Ryan Morik Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026 Mowery said the difference between attending a big game in the South versus other parts of the country is that college football is the top attraction. — Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 The hotel draws a significant business and convention crowd, as well as fans in town for a big game. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for big game

Word History

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of big game was in 1773

Rhymes for big game

See All Rhymes for big game

Browse Nearby Words

big-gaited
big game
bigged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Big game.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/big%20game. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

big game

noun
: large animals hunted for sport
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