ballplayer

noun

ball·​play·​er ˈbȯl-ˌplā-ər How to pronounce ballplayer (audio)
: a person who plays ball
especially : a baseball player

Examples of ballplayer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The independent, minor-league baseball franchise plans to keep the spirit of baseball alive with a team of eager young players in a city that’s increasingly starved of professional sports, and at a park named for a late former ballplayer raised in Oakland. Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024 Finally, second baseman Joe Gordon ― like Doby a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame — gave him a proper ballplayer welcome, a greeting that sparked a friendship. Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024 Jerry Manuel, the former major league infielder and manager, now coaches and mentors a new generation of Black ballplayers through his Jerry Manuel Foundation youth baseball charter school. Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 5 Apr. 2024 Likewise, Republican Steve Garvey finished in the top two — qualifying for the November ballot — because of fame gained by being a former star ballplayer for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 From A-list actors to big-time ballplayers, the globally renowned actress, singer and entertainer has famously romanced some of the world’s finest celebrity bachelors throughout her career. Lydia Price, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Ohtani’s spokesperson said previous statements made on the ballplayer’s behalf were not accurate. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2024 Ohtani’s lawyers accused the interpreter of theft after the publication reportedly learned that the ballplayer’s name surfaced during an investigation of Orange County resident Matthew Bowyer. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2024 There are doctors and ballplayers, mothers with babies and pets. Carina Del Valle Schorske, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ballplayer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ballplayer was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near ballplayer

Cite this Entry

“Ballplayer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ballplayer. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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