free agent

noun

: a professional athlete (such as a baseball player) who is free to negotiate a contract with any team
free agency noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web There’s a reason MLB teams already are salivating at the chance to sign Ohtani as a free agent, no matter if its costs $500 million, $600 million or partnership in the franchise. Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2023 Stripling, signed as a free agent this winter, also is a repository of financial information. Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Mar. 2023 Bojorquez had led the NFL in punting with a 50.8-yard average for the Buffalo Bills in 2020, then signed with the Rams as a free agent. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 17 Mar. 2023 Feeney can make a push to play at left guard or replace Michael Deiter, who remains a free agent, as backup center behind Connor Williams. David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2023 Watson, who signed as a free agent after not being selected in the five-round 2020 draft, ranked third in both ERA (3.44) and WHIP (1.10) among Orioles minor leaguers who pitched 75 or more innings last season. Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2023 The Colts also let part-time starter Brandon Facyson walk to the Raiders this offseason as a free agent, dropping the roster to a point where veteran signings and draft picks have to both be on the table. Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Mar. 2023 The worst would be that the team misses the playoffs or is eliminated in a play-in game or a short first round, and Irving just leaves as a free agent. Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas News, 14 Mar. 2023 Bauer had joined the Dodgers as a free agent following his best professional season. Scott Miller, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'free agent.' 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

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of free agent was in 1955

Dictionary Entries Near free agent

Cite this Entry

“Free agent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20agent. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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