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

My name is Houston Mitchell and pitchers and catchers report Feb. 11. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2025

Two teams the Padres figure to be fighting for wild-card positioning — the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets — have been linked to Cease trade rumors, but almost every team would have use for a pitcher who is sitting on four straight 200-strikeout seasons and two top-four Cy Young finishes. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025

Both pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who is recovering from knee and toe surgeries, and free agent utility man Kiké Hernandez, will likely be discussing deals soon. —Doug Padilla, Orange County Register, 1 Feb. 2025

Could president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer pull off another trade for Michael King of the San Diego Padres? King was a primary starting pitcher for the first time as a big leaguer in 2024, and the results were excellent. —Matt Musico, Newsweek, 31 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