leadoff

1 of 2

noun

lead·​off ˈlēd-ˌȯf 

1

: a beginning or leading action

2

: one that leads off

leadoff adjective

lead off

2 of 2

verb

ˈlēd- 

led off; leading off; leads off

intransitive verb

: begin

also : to come on or perform first

transitive verb

1

: to make a start on : open

2

: to bat first for a baseball team in (an inning)

Synonyms of leadoff

Verb

• begin
• commence
• start
• fall (to)
• set about
• get off
• embark (on or upon)
• get going
• open

Examples of leadoff in a Sentence

Verb

plans to lead off the news conference with a prepared statement

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Catcher Drew Millas got aboard with a leadoff single and second baseman Nasim Nuñez drove him home with an RBI triple. —Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026

The biggest breakout, however, came from Zach Neto, who reinforced Manager Kurt Suzuki’s decision to keep him in the leadoff spot despite a 4-for-30 slump. —Mark Gonzales, Oc Register, 17 June 2026

Verb

Trevor Larnach led off the game with a home run, Kody Clemens added a three-run shot, and the Twins clinched another series victory in Texas with an 12-2 win over the Rangers on Tuesday night in Arlington. —Staff, Twin Cities, 17 June 2026

Rave tripled to lead off the sixth and scored on Isaac Collins' squeeze bunt. —ABC News, 17 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1806, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for leadoff

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

leadoff

noun

lead·​off ˈlēd-ˌȯf 

1

: a beginning action

2

: one that begins something

leadoff adjective