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

Any potential scoring opportunity in the fifth inning disintegrated after Dalton Rushing’s leadoff walk. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 10 June 2026

Young started it with a leadoff single against Erik Miller. —ABC News, 10 June 2026

Verb

The Angels had a chance to get an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh, when Oswald Peraza led off with a hit and stole second and third. —Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 11 June 2026

Angels starter Reid Detmers retired his first 15 batters before Shay Whitcomb homered leading off the sixth. —Los Angeles Times, 11 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