leadoff

1 of 2

noun

lead·​off ˈlēd-ˌȯf 

1

: a beginning or leading action

2

: one that leads off

leadoff adjective

lead off

2 of 2

verb

ˈlēd- 

led off; leading off; leads off

intransitive verb

: begin

also : to come on or perform first

transitive verb

1

: to make a start on : open

2

: to bat first for a baseball team in (an inning)

Synonyms of leadoff

Verb

• begin
• commence
• start
• fall (to)
• set about
• get off
• embark (on or upon)
• get going
• open

Examples of leadoff in a Sentence

Verb

plans to lead off the news conference with a prepared statement

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In franchise history, the most games in the leadoff spot by a hitter younger than 22 were Doerr’s 86 in 1937; Anthony’s 31 (27 starts) already rank fourth in franchise history. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 22 Feb. 2026

Nimmo, who turns 33 on the second day of the regular season, has more plate appearances in the leadoff spot than any other spot in the lineup for his career, but had moved lower in the New York Mets lineup the last two seasons with Francisco Lindor getting more time at the top. —Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026

Verb

The dog was found alive and was led off the mountain by rangers, officials said, but poor weather conditions initially prevented crews from recovering the hiker’s body. —Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026

Brixton Lofgren gave up a two-out RBI single to Dom Patrizi in the sixth to plate Raffaele Rogers, who led off the inning with a walk. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1806, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for leadoff

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

leadoff

noun

lead·​off ˈlēd-ˌȯf 

1

: a beginning action

2

: one that begins something

leadoff adjective