pitcher

1 of 2

noun (1)

pitch·​er ˈpi-chər How to pronounce pitcher (audio)
1
: a container for holding and pouring liquids that usually has a lip or spout and a handle
2
: a modified leaf of a pitcher plant in which the hollowed petiole and base of the blade form an elongated receptacle
pitcherful noun

pitcher

2 of 2

noun (2)

: one that pitches
specifically : the player who pitches in a game of baseball

Examples of pitcher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The Dodgers have 38 players left in major league camp (17 position players, 21 pitchers). Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 The experience was especially visceral for Blayne Enlow, a non-roster pitcher tasked with making the start. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024 Kyle, a right-handed pitcher, and Bradley, an outfielder, both played at the University of San Francisco and were both first-round draft picks — Kyle by the Kansas City Royals, Bradley by the Cleveland Indians. John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024 Right-handed pitcher George Soriano Soriano made his MLB debut last season, and the Marlins used him in a variety of roles on the big-league club. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Man of the house Patrick was 9 when his parents — Randi and former major league pitcher Pat Mahomes — divorced, leaving her a single mom. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2024 Also on hand were basketball great Maya Moore, who was Clark's favorite player, and Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan. CBS News, 3 Mar. 2024 Up next: Giants at Rockies, 1:10 p.m. Monday Rockies probable pitchers: RHP Dakota Hudson, RHP Ryan Feltner, RHP Peter Lambert, LHP Ty Blach, RHP Gavin Hollowell, RHP John Curtiss, LHP Jalen Beeks. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2024 With him, there were four other pitchers who tossed at least 200 innings in 2023. Jared Wyllys, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English picher, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin bicarius drinking cup

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pitcher was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near pitcher

Cite this Entry

“Pitcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pitcher. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pitcher

1 of 2 noun
pitch·​er ˈpich-ər How to pronounce pitcher (audio)
: a container for holding and pouring liquids that usually has a lip or spout and a handle

pitcher

2 of 2 noun
: one that pitches
especially : a baseball player who pitches
Etymology

Noun

Middle English picher "container for pouring liquids," from early French (same meaning), from Latin bicarius "drinking vessel, goblet"

Noun

from pitch "to erect in place, throw a ball" and -er, noun suffix

More from Merriam-Webster on pitcher

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