pinch hitter

noun

: one that pinch-hits

Examples of pinch hitter in a Sentence

the business owners brought in a pinch hitter until a permanent manager could be hired
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 the next time his turn in the order came up, manager Rocco Baldelli sent pinch hitter Mickey Gasper up in Keaschall's place. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2025 In the first at-bat after the change, pinch hitter Cam Kozeal hammered a 2-run home run to right field against Jackson Barberi. Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2025 The Giants entered the game 25th out of 30 teams in pinch hitters used. Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025 Runners were stranded at the corners when pinch hitter Carson Boles struck out looking to end the top of the fourth. Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pinch hitter

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pinch hitter was in 1896

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pinch hitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinch%20hitter. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

pinch hitter

noun
1
: a baseball player sent in to bat for another especially when a hit is needed
2
: a person called upon to do another's work in an emergency
pinch-hit
(ˈ)pinch-ˈhit
verb

More from Merriam-Webster on pinch hitter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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