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

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 That one returning starter is designated hitter Ryne Guida, who is expected to be the No3 hitter on Friday when FIU will open at home against Long Island. Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2024 Pirates designated hitter/outfielder Andrew McCutchen, the team’s elder statesman at 37, believes Pittsburgh can use the 2023 Diamondbacks as a template for the 2024 season. John Perrotto, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 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

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 28 Mar. 2024.

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