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

Harris had to contend with a leadoff single and then a pinch-hitting appearance from Jordan Walker, the Cardinals’ 100-RBI man, but a double-play grounder and another groundball to third base settled matters. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Devers continued his second-half power binge in the top of the first inning by blasting his 30th home run of the year, and rookie Turner Hill delivered a go-ahead, two-run pinch-hit double in the Giants’ 7-3 makeup game win in Atlanta on Monday. — Staff, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2026

Noun

Freeman stayed in the game and finished the top of the eighth, but Tommy Edman pinch hit for him in the bottom of the inning before Los Angeles closed out a 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals, its fourth in five games. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Perhaps he would have been pinch hit for in a close game, but when there is breathing room, the Phillies might take the opportunity to hand Marsh more experience. — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 27 July 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