pitcher

1 of 2

noun (1)

pitch·​er ˈpi-chər 

1

: a container for holding and pouring liquids that usually has a lip or spout and a handle

2

: a modified leaf of a pitcher plant in which the hollowed petiole and base of the blade form an elongated receptacle

pitcherful

ˈpi-chər-ˌfu̇l 

noun

pitcher

2 of 2

noun (2)

: one that pitches

specifically : the player who pitches in a game of baseball

Synonyms of pitcher

Noun (1)

• jug
• cup
• bottle
• ewer
• flagon

Examples of pitcher in a Sentence

Noun (1)

please bring me the pitcher of lemonade from the table

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

New York Mets first baseman Jared Young was briefly knocked unconscious and carted off at Citi Field after a violent collision with pitcher Nolan McLean on a sixth-inning grounder versus the Phillies. — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Cabrera is one of three pitchers currently in the Cubs bullpen who has been part of the rotation this year, joining Colin Rea and Javier Assad. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Tampa Bay has won his last 11 starts, the most for a team behind an AL pitcher coming out of the All-Star break since Minnesota's Johan Santana had 12 in 2006. — CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Shohei Ohtani is arguably the best baseball player of his generation, with the rare ability to pull double duty as a power hitter and an elite pitcher. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English picher, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin bicarius drinking cup

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pitcher

• pitcher plant
• relief pitcher
• starting pitcher

Rhymes for pitcher

• richer
• switcher

Kids Definition

pitcher

1 of 2 noun

pitch·​er ˈpich-ər 

: a container for holding and pouring liquids that usually has a lip or spout and a handle

pitcher

2 of 2 noun

: one that pitches

especially : a baseball player who pitches

Etymology

Noun

Middle English picher "container for pouring liquids," from early French (same meaning), from Latin bicarius "drinking vessel, goblet"

Noun

from pitch "to erect in place, throw a ball" and -er, noun suffix