pinch-hit

1 of 2

verb

ˈpinch-ˈhit 

ˌpinch-

pinch-hit; pinch-hitting; pinch-hits

intransitive verb

1

: to act or serve in place of another

2

: to bat in the place of another player especially when a hit is particularly needed

pinch hit

2 of 2

noun

: a hit made by a pinch hitter

Synonyms of pinch-hit

Verb

• substitute

Examples of pinch-hit in a Sentence

Verb

assigned to pinch-hit as a math teacher for the remainder of the semester

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Rodolfo Durán pinch-hit for Hunt in the ninth inning and caught the final two innings. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2026

The Mets pinch-hit for the left-handed hitting Jared Young with right-hander Mark Vientos. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026

Noun

New York’s Rusty Staub tied a season record with his eighth consecutive pinch hit. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026

Major league homers leader Kyle Schwarber, out of the starting lineup with lower back tightness, pinch hit with two outs and walked against Orlando Ribalta. — CBS News, 24 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from pinch hitter

First Known Use

Verb

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1927, in the meaning defined above