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

Pressly walked the leadoff hitter but still gave the Cubs a chance to escape the inning. —Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025

While Paul Goldschmidt is doing his part as a novice leadoff hitter, the Yankees are actually fielding a lineup of six homegrown regulars and getting decent results. —Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Verb

Yes, Biden was led off the stage by Democratic leaders, including Obama. —W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025

While no Yankees’ receivers have led off, there have been catchers known to do it. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1806, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for leadoff

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

leadoff

noun

lead·​off ˈlēd-ˌȯf 

1

: a beginning action

2

: one that begins something

leadoff adjective