pitcher

1 of 2

noun (1)

pitch·​er ˈpi-chər 

1

: a container for holding and pouring liquids that usually has a lip or spout and a handle

2

: a modified leaf of a pitcher plant in which the hollowed petiole and base of the blade form an elongated receptacle

pitcherful

ˈpi-chər-ˌfu̇l 

noun

pitcher

2 of 2

noun (2)

: one that pitches

specifically : the player who pitches in a game of baseball

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• ewer
• flagon
• jug

Examples of pitcher in a Sentence

Noun (1)

please bring me the pitcher of lemonade from the table

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer recently predicted the Red Sox would trade Casas to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Pirates star pitcher Jared Jones. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025

The Phillies could provide Kepler and Brandon Marsh, another lefty who has not hit lefty pitchers, with regular at-bats in the season’s initial months before determining whether one of them has to be platooned. —Matt Gelb, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025

Agreeing to one-year deals by Thursday’s 1 p.m. deadline were pitchers Zack Littell, who got a hefty raise to $5.72 million; Shane Baz ($1.45 million) and Garrett Cleavinger ($1.2 million); and catcher Ben Rortvedt ($1.125 million). —Marc Topkin, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025

The Big Unit didn’t pitch well by his Hall of Fame standards (4.88 ERA, 96 innings) but won the 300th game of his career with the Giants, the last pitcher to achieve the feat. —Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English picher, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin bicarius drinking cup

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pitcher

• pitcher plant
• relief pitcher
• starting pitcher

Kids Definition

pitcher

1 of 2 noun

pitch·​er ˈpich-ər 

: a container for holding and pouring liquids that usually has a lip or spout and a handle

pitcher

2 of 2 noun

: one that pitches

especially : a baseball player who pitches

Etymology

Noun

Middle English picher "container for pouring liquids," from early French (same meaning), from Latin bicarius "drinking vessel, goblet"

Noun

from pitch "to erect in place, throw a ball" and -er, noun suffix