1
: infectious, contagious
the flu is catching
his spirit is catching
Synonyms
Examples of catching in a Sentence
“I have a cold.” “Is it catching?”
a cold is often catching before the symptoms even begin
Recent Examples on the Web
The key here is to keep this brief while still giving out the most catching information about you so that the person reading it doesn’t lose interest.
—
Kice Akkawi, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2023
From the archives: Drake London Former Moorpark and USC standout receiver Drake London continues to make his presence felt catching passes for the Atlanta Falcons.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2023
My brother Robert and I would go outside and play these catching games.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Oct. 2023
The kids like to be out in the woods and climbing trees and catching frogs.
—Anneke Knot, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2023
Washington State commit is terrific catching passes.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2023
Or maybe the Rangers just needed some catching depth and Hedges, a plus-defender with nine years of MLB experience, was the best available fit to be gotten from the selling Pirates.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 5 Aug. 2023
And given the pounding players at the position endure while taking handoffs and catching passes – plus the more invisible toll exacted in pass protection – clubs are quite comfortable letting a veteran go rather than awarding a second contract.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 26 July 2023
Quero, one of the better catching prospects in baseball, and Bush, a tall left-hander, were considered two of the few top prospects in the Angels farm system.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2023
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Kice Akkawi, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2023
From the archives: Drake London Former Moorpark and USC standout receiver Drake London continues to make his presence felt catching passes for the Atlanta Falcons.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2023
My brother Robert and I would go outside and play these catching games.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Oct. 2023
The kids like to be out in the woods and climbing trees and catching frogs.
—Anneke Knot, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2023
Washington State commit is terrific catching passes.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2023
Or maybe the Rangers just needed some catching depth and Hedges, a plus-defender with nine years of MLB experience, was the best available fit to be gotten from the selling Pirates.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 5 Aug. 2023
And given the pounding players at the position endure while taking handoffs and catching passes – plus the more invisible toll exacted in pass protection – clubs are quite comfortable letting a veteran go rather than awarding a second contract.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 26 July 2023
Quero, one of the better catching prospects in baseball, and Bush, a tall left-hander, were considered two of the few top prospects in the Angels farm system.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'catching.' 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
1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing catching
Dictionary Entries Near catching
Cite this Entry
“Catching.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catching. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
catching
adjective
: infectious
the flu is catching
More from Merriam-Webster on catching
Nglish: Translation of catching for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of catching for Arabic Speakers
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