fastball

noun

fast·​ball ˈfas(t)-ˌbȯl How to pronounce fastball (audio)
: a baseball pitch thrown at full speed and often appearing to rise slightly as it nears the plate
fastballer noun

Examples of fastball in a Sentence

He struck him out with a fastball.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His fastball has been up to 101 mph and averaged just over 98 mph in the majors. Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Dec. 2025 That pitcher is 6-foot-8 RJ Petit, a right-hander whose fastball reaches 98 mph, according to an MLB Pipeline scouting report, but generally sits in the 94 to 95 mph range. Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025 The veteran reliever has one of the best fastballs in the sport, which frequently touches 100 mph. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025 Along with his fastball and slider, Imai’s repertoire also features a splitter, changeup, curveball and sinker (also referred to as a vulcan change). Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fastball

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fastball was in 1883

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fastball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fastball. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

fastball

noun
fast·​ball ˈfas(t)-ˌbȯl How to pronounce fastball (audio)
: a baseball pitch thrown at full speed

More from Merriam-Webster on fastball

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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