pitch

noun (1)

\ ˈpich

Definition of pitch

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : a black or dark viscous substance obtained as a residue in the distillation of organic materials and especially tars

2 : any of various bituminous substances

3 : resin obtained from various conifers and often used medicinally

4 : any of various artificial mixtures resembling resinous or bituminous pitches

pitch

verb (1)

pitched; pitching; pitches

Definition of pitch (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

: to cover, smear, or treat with or as if with pitch

pitch

verb (2)

pitched; pitching; pitches

Definition of pitch (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to erect and fix firmly in place pitch a tent

2 : to throw usually with a particular objective or toward a particular point pitch hay onto a wagon : such as

a : to throw (a baseball) to a batter

b : to toss (something, such as coins) so as to fall at or near a mark pitch pennies

c : to put aside or discard by or as if by throwing pitched the trash into the bin

3a : to present or advertise especially in a high-pressure way : plug, promote

b : to attempt to persuade especially with a sales pitch

c : to present (a movie or program idea) for consideration (as by a TV producer)

4a(1) : to cause to be at a particular level or of a particular quality a test pitched at a 5th-grade reading level

(2) : to set in a particular musical key

b : to cause to be set at a particular angle : slope

5 : to utter glibly and insincerely

6a : to use as a starting pitcher

b : to play as pitcher

7 : to hit (a golf ball) in a high arc with backspin so that it rolls very little after striking the green

8 : throw sense 6 pitch a fit

intransitive verb

1a : to fall precipitately or headlong

b(1) of a ship : to have the bow alternately plunge precipitately and rise abruptly

(2) of an aircraft, missile, or spacecraft : to turn about a lateral axis so that the forward end rises or falls in relation to the after end

c : buck entry 2 sense 1

2 : encamp

3 : to hit upon or happen upon something pitch upon the perfect gift

4 : to incline downward : slope

5a : to throw a ball to a batter

b : to play ball as a pitcher

c : to pitch a golf ball

6 : to make a sales pitch

pitch into

1 : attack, assail

2 : to set to work on energetically

pitch

noun (2)

Definition of pitch (Entry 4 of 4)

1a : slope also : degree of slope : rake

b : the distance between any of various things: such as

(1) : distance between one point on a gear tooth and the corresponding point on the next tooth

(2) : distance from any point on the thread of a screw to the corresponding point on an adjacent thread measured parallel to the axis

c : the theoretical distance a propeller would advance longitudinally in one revolution

d : the number of teeth or of threads per inch

e : a unit of width of type based on the number of times a letter can be set in a linear inch

2 : the action or a manner of pitching especially : an up-and-down movement — compare yaw

3 archaic : top, zenith

4a : the relative level, intensity, or extent of some quality or state tensions rose to a feverish pitch

b(1) : the property of a sound and especially a musical tone that is determined by the frequency of the waves producing it : highness or lowness of sound

(2) : a standard frequency for tuning instruments

c(1) : the difference in the relative vibration frequency of the human voice that contributes to the total meaning of speech

(2) : a definite relative pitch that is a significant phenomenon in speech

5a : a steep place : declivity

b : the portion of a route (as in mountain climbing or caving) between belay points

6 chiefly British

a : an outdoor site (as for camping or doing business)

b : playing field sense 1

7 : an all-fours game in which the first card led is a trump

8a : an often high-pressure sales presentation

b : advertisement

c : recommendation, plug made a pitch for tax cuts

9a : the delivery of a baseball by a pitcher to a batter

b : a baseball so thrown

c : pitchout sense 2

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Choose the Right Synonym for pitch

Verb (2)

throw, cast, toss, fling, hurl, pitch, sling mean to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force. throw is general and interchangeable with the other terms but may specifically imply a distinctive motion with bent arm. can throw a fastball and a curve cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering. cast it to the winds toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion. tossed the coat on the bed fling stresses a violent throwing. flung the ring back in his face hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight. hurled himself at the intruder pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target. pitch horseshoes sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim. slung the bag over his shoulder

First Known Use of pitch

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for pitch

Noun (1)

Middle English pich, from Old English pic, from Latin pic-, pix; akin to Greek pissa pitch, Old Church Slavonic pĭcĭlŭ

Verb (2)

Middle English pichen to thrust, drive, fix firmly, probably from Old English *piccan, from Vulgar Latin *piccare — more at pike

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Cite this Entry

“Pitch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pitch. Accessed 17 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for pitch

pitch

verb

\ ˈpich

pitched; pitching

Kids Definition of pitch

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : to set up and fix firmly in place We pitched a tent.

2 : to throw usually toward a certain point I pitched hay onto a wagon.

3 : to throw a baseball or softball to a batter

4 : to plunge or fall forward

5 : slope entry 2, slant The roof is steeply pitched.

6 : to fix or set at a certain highness or lowness … he pitched the call high enough to make it sound like a young turkey gobbling.— Virginia Hamilton, M. C. Higgins

7 : to move in such a way that one end falls while the other end rises The ship pitched in a rough sea.

pitch in

: to contribute to a common task or goal We all pitched in to clean the mess.

pitch

noun

Kids Definition of pitch (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : highness or lowness of sound

2 : amount of slope The roof has a steep pitch.

3 : an up-and-down movement the pitch of a ship

4 : the throw of a baseball or softball to a batter

5 : the amount or level of something (as a feeling) Excitement reached a high pitch.