leadoff

1 of 2

noun

lead·​off ˈlēd-ˌȯf 

1

: a beginning or leading action

2

: one that leads off

leadoff adjective

lead off

2 of 2

verb

ˈlēd- 

led off; leading off; leads off

intransitive verb

: begin

also : to come on or perform first

transitive verb

1

: to make a start on : open

2

: to bat first for a baseball team in (an inning)

Synonyms

Verb

• begin
• commence
• embark (on or upon)
• enter (into or upon)
• fall (to)
• get off
• kick off
• launch
• open
• start
• strike (into)

Examples of leadoff in a Sentence

Verb

plans to lead off the news conference with a prepared statement

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Steven Kwan — The Fremont native graduated from Washington High, the same school as A’s Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley, and has become one of the top leadoff hitters in the majors. —Laurence Miedema, The Mercury News, 1 Oct. 2024

Hypothetically, Ohtani could throw full-intensity at-bats against hitters in live BPs the afternoon of a playoff game, then have to turn around and serve as the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter later that night. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024

Verb

In the graph below, the selling led off, as was expected. —John S. Tobey, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024

Sanders led off his last big road win, at TCU, demanding respect. —Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1806, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

leadoff

noun

lead·​off ˈlēd-ˌȯf 

1

: a beginning action

2

: one that begins something

leadoff adjective