designated hitter
noun
1
: a baseball player designated at the start of the game to bat in place of the pitcher without causing the pitcher to be removed from the game
2
Synonyms
Examples of designated hitter in a Sentence
you'll have to be my designated hitter in the office while I'm on business trips
Recent Examples on the Web
With a flailing swing, the Marlins designated hitter sent a two-hopper whizzing past Pepiot — who stabbed for a ball that was just out of his reach — and up the middle for a single.
—
Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023
After Orioles designated hitter Adley Rutschman popped out to open the bottom of the first, umpires stopped the game as Rockies left fielder Nolan Jones moved away from the area.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 27 Aug. 2023
Chicago Cubs designated hitter Christopher Morel was fired up to say the least after hitting a walk-off home run to defeat the crosstown rival White Sox.
—Jace Evans, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2023
Brewers designated hitter Jesse Winker also appeared in the game on a rehab assignment, going 1 for 3 himself with a single.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2023
Boston designated hitter Masataka Yoshida led the fifth inning off with a 78.9 mph double.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 6 July 2023
Out on the field, Red Sox designated hitter Justin Turner smacks a grand slam against the Yankees and Mike Song leaps in the air.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 25 June 2023
Boston designated hitter Justin Turner was facing Yankees reliever Clay Holmes in the ninth inning of New York's win on Saturday when the DH fouled a pitch straight back.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 12 June 2023
Tigers designated hitter and likely future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera took the field in Houston for an afternoon tilt against the Astros on Wednesday, and pregame, Cabrera was honored with a Texas-sized celebration at Minute Maid Park.
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 5 Apr. 2023
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Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023
After Orioles designated hitter Adley Rutschman popped out to open the bottom of the first, umpires stopped the game as Rockies left fielder Nolan Jones moved away from the area.
—Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 27 Aug. 2023
Chicago Cubs designated hitter Christopher Morel was fired up to say the least after hitting a walk-off home run to defeat the crosstown rival White Sox.
—Jace Evans, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2023
Brewers designated hitter Jesse Winker also appeared in the game on a rehab assignment, going 1 for 3 himself with a single.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2023
Boston designated hitter Masataka Yoshida led the fifth inning off with a 78.9 mph double.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 6 July 2023
Out on the field, Red Sox designated hitter Justin Turner smacks a grand slam against the Yankees and Mike Song leaps in the air.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 25 June 2023
Boston designated hitter Justin Turner was facing Yankees reliever Clay Holmes in the ninth inning of New York's win on Saturday when the DH fouled a pitch straight back.
—David K. Li, NBC News, 12 June 2023
Tigers designated hitter and likely future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera took the field in Houston for an afternoon tilt against the Astros on Wednesday, and pregame, Cabrera was honored with a Texas-sized celebration at Minute Maid Park.
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 5 Apr. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'designated hitter.' 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
1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of designated hitter was
in 1928
Dictionary Entries Near designated hitter
Cite this Entry
“Designated hitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/designated%20hitter. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about designated hitter
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