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

Damon connected for a leadoff shot in the ninth on the first pitch from Dan Cortes. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Jhoan Duran worked around a leadoff single in the ninth en route to his 28th save. — Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Norby led off the ninth with a home run off of Cade Smith, who got the next three batters for his 33rd save. — ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026

Luke Keaschall was the first Twins batter to get ahead 2-0 against Vásquez and led off the fourth inning with a hit. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 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