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

Boston’s two most clutch hits in the contest were two-out blasts from non-roster invitees: leadoff man Abraham Toro’s bases-clearing triple in the top of the second, and Nate Eaton’s grand slam in the fifth. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2025

New leadoff hitter Jonathan India got aboard and later scored on first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino’s two-run double. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025

Verb

Hamilton later doubled off closer Edwin Diaz to lead off the fifth, but the right-hander retired the next three in order, using his fastball for the first out, and his slider for the next two. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2025

Fans also got a glimpse of the Royals’ new-look lineup as Jonathan India led off against Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi. India, who was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds this offseason, wasted no time in the box. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 22 Feb. 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