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.
But safeties and cornerbacks are like relief pitchers in baseball. Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026 Abeldt could be a fast-riser in the organization as a relief pitcher. Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026 The other is that none of the Bobcats' relief pitchers have proven themselves capable. Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026 Harper, of course, charged the mound to go fist for fist with relief pitcher Hunter Strickland in 2017, stemming from beef the two had years earlier. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Relief pitcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relief%20pitcher. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster