knuckleball

noun

knuck·​le·​ball ˈnə-kəl-ˌbȯl How to pronounce knuckleball (audio)
: a slow baseball pitch that moves erratically and unpredictably and that is thrown with little spin by gripping the ball with the knuckles or the tips of the fingers pressed against the top
knuckleballer noun

Examples of knuckleball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
But Bouton's struggle to survive in baseball while throwing the knuckleball — a pitch that becomes a metaphor for his individuality — triggered a controversy that roiled all of pro sports. The Week Us, theweek, 29 Oct. 2024 In this game, Anderson ended up with a no decision because the Angels couldn’t do much in their first look at Padres right-hander Matt Waldron, the only current knuckleball pitcher in the majors. Jeff Fletcher, Orange County Register, 3 June 2024 The Angels saw a total of 31 knuckleballs among Waldron’s 95 pitches. Jeff Fletcher, Orange County Register, 3 June 2024 What about the mixed messages dancing about like a Matt Waldron knuckleball when Wrigley Field, Chase Field, Nationals Park and more have sportsbooks on-site? Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for knuckleball 

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of knuckleball was in 1907

Dictionary Entries Near knuckleball

Cite this Entry

“Knuckleball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knuckleball. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

knuckleball

noun
knuck·​le·​ball ˈnək-əl-ˌbȯl How to pronounce knuckleball (audio)
: a baseball pitch gripped with the knuckles or fingertips and thrown with very little spin

More from Merriam-Webster on knuckleball

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