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

Imanaga worked out of a two-out single in the frame, then escaped a leadoff walk in the second to keep the deficit at one. — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Henderson allowed one unearned run on two hits, striking out six and walking one before exiting after Carson Kelly's leadoff single in the sixth. — CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

Verb

Geraldo Perdomo led off the 10th with a sacrifice bunt to move Ildemaro Vargas, who started the inning at second, to third. — Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026

Correspondent Jon Wertheim will lead off the 59th season with an in-depth look at the Los Angeles Rams, the favorite of oddsmakers to win the Super Bowl this season. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 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