pinch hitter

noun

: one that pinch-hits

Examples of pinch hitter in a Sentence

the business owners brought in a pinch hitter until a permanent manager could be hired
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.
Pinch runner Tyler Tolbert replaced Caglianone and Nick Loftin came to the plate as a pinch hitter. Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025 San Diego filled the bases in the seventh with one out via walks to Jake Cronenworth, pinch hitter Ryan O'Hearn and Fernando Tatis Jr. Field Level Media, Reuters, 3 Sep. 2025 Prieto struck out as a pinch hitter against hard-throwing Tony Santillan of the Cincinnati Reds in his MLB debut. Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025 Guerrero popped out as a pinch hitter in Sunday’s loss at Miami. Ian Harrison, Twin Cities, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pinch hitter

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pinch hitter was in 1896

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pinch hitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinch%20hitter. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

pinch hitter

noun
1
: a baseball player sent in to bat for another especially when a hit is needed
2
: a person called upon to do another's work in an emergency
pinch-hit
(ˈ)pinch-ˈhit
verb

More from Merriam-Webster on pinch hitter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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