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

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

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