line drive

noun

: a batted baseball hit in a nearly straight line usually not far above the ground

Examples of line drive in a Sentence

He hit a hard line drive to the shortstop.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During the second inning, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos lifted a sinking line drive into right field, conjuring Espada’s memories of a far more consequential fly ball hit to that same spot. Chandler Rome, New York Times, 28 June 2025 The Giants took a 3-1 lead in the sixth as Bailey drove in Adames and Koss on a two-run triple when White Sox right fielder Ryan Noda dove and missed Bailey’s low line drive. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 27 June 2025 After a line drive left the bat of Julio Rodriguez with an exit velocity of 106.2 mph, Woods Richardson instinctively stuck out his glove and somehow snared the ball out of midair. Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 27 June 2025 Batting from the right side of the plate, Lindor hit a long, low line drive to the opposite field that was nearly another home run. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for line drive

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of line drive was in 1903

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Line drive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/line%20drive. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

line drive

noun
: a batted baseball hit not far above the ground in a nearly straight line

More from Merriam-Webster on line drive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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