relief pitcher

noun

: a baseball pitcher who takes over for another during a game

Examples of relief pitcher in a Sentence

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.
As Phillies fans know well, one relief pitcher's availability could have been the difference between playoff elimination or surviving another day. Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025 The other Will Smith, currently a relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, benefited from being on three separate teams from 2021-2023 when each one went on to win the Fall Classic. Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025 But relief pitchers are so dominating these days, teams don’t see the need to ask them to do that. Jayson Stark, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025 Minasian said the Angels still don’t know the status of right-handed relief pitcher Robert Stephenson, who is awaiting opinions on his injured right elbow. Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relief pitcher

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of relief pitcher was in 1884

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Cite this Entry

“Relief pitcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relief%20pitcher. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

relief pitcher

noun
: a baseball pitcher who takes over for another during a game

More from Merriam-Webster on relief pitcher

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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