pickoff

1 of 2

noun

pick·​off ˈpik-ˌȯf 

: a baseball play in which a base runner is picked off

pick off

2 of 2

verb

picked off; picking off; picks off

transitive verb

1

: to shoot or bring down especially one by one

2

: to put out (a base runner who is off base) with a quick throw (as from the pitcher or catcher)

3

: intercept

picked off a pass

Synonyms

Verb

• intercept
• grab
• block

Examples of pickoff in a Sentence

Noun

He made a pickoff throw to third base.

Verb

picked off more passes than any other player in the division

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Tennessee softball team already has discussed the ceremonial first pitch — someone suggested a pickoff throw — and rehearsed how record-breaking ace Karlyn Pickens can avoid an awkward hug with the Knoxville Smokies’ mascot. —Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 22 May 2025

The Dodgers even committed a third throwing error in the seventh inning when Kirby Yates threw a pickoff attempt into center field, but Atlanta did not score. —Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2025

Verb

Democrats will huddle on Saturday afternoon to plot their strategy, which will require picking off four Republicans and keeping Democrats unified to change the bill. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 28 June 2025

The Royals left 11 on base and made a baserunning error in the sixth inning when pinch runner Tyler Tolbert was picked off. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1911, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pickoff

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

Kids Definition

pick off

verb

1

: to shoot or bring down one by one or with a single shot

2

: to put out (a base runner who is off base) with a quick throw