pickoff

1 of 2

noun

pick·​off ˈpik-ˌȯf How to pronounce pickoff (audio)
: 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

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
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.
Noun
Those included a pitch clock, larger bases, and restrictions on defensive shifts and pitcher disengagements such as pickoff attempts. Ronald Blum, Denver Post, 23 Sep. 2025 In 2023, a freak collision on a pickoff play, when Fernando Tatís Jr.’s hip smacked into Rizzo’s head, caused what was initially identified to be a neck injury, but later determined to be a concussion. Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
The unit has picked off every quarterback it's faced not named Patrick Mahomes at least twice. Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025 After being picked off by Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson in the second quarter, marking his third interception of the season, Jones responded by scoring on a 3-yard rushing TD in the second quarter that gave Indianapolis a 14-7 lead. James Boyd, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pickoff

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1911, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pickoff was in 1810

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Pickoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pickoff. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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