fastball

noun

fast·​ball ˈfas(t)-ˌbȯl How to pronounce fastball (audio)
: a baseball pitch thrown at full speed and often appearing to rise slightly as it nears the plate
fastballer noun

Examples of fastball in a Sentence

He struck him out with a fastball.
Recent Examples on the Web With Phillips’ pitch count at 34, manager Dave Roberts summoned right-hander Blake Treinen to face pinch-hitter Jesse Winker, who put a charge into a 95-mph fastball and sent a line drive to the warning track in right field, where Betts made the inning-ending catch. Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024 Ramirez’s lineout concluded a grueling a nine-pitch encounter Rodon got ahead with his changeup, watched Ramirez foul off three of the next four pitches, take two balls to even the count, foul of f a fastball. Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024 With a fastball clocked at 95 mph, Quincy Bright was on a track for the major leagues. Faith Salie, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2024 After retiring Shohei Ohtani on a groundout to second base, Ohtani’s 10th out in 11 at-bats after beginning the series 2-for-3 with a home run, Cease sent a 2-2 fastball down the middle that cleared the wall in left-center field and bounced in the Padres’ bullpen. Kevin Acee, The Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fastball 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fastball.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fastball was in 1883

Dictionary Entries Near fastball

Cite this Entry

“Fastball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fastball. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

fastball

noun
fast·​ball ˈfas(t)-ˌbȯl How to pronounce fastball (audio)
: a baseball pitch thrown at full speed

More from Merriam-Webster on fastball

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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