designated hitter

American  

noun

Baseball.

1. a hitter selected prior to the start of the game to bat for the starting pitcher and all subsequent pitchers without otherwise affecting the status of the pitchers in the game. DH, dh

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Etymology

Origin of designated hitter

An Americanism dating back to 1970–75

Example Sentences

Hokies designated hitter Hudson Lutterman then drove in another run on a single in the ninth.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026

In the independent Atlantic League, the league has run several years of testing on a “double hook” rule: when a team removes its starting pitcher, it loses its designated hitter.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 18, 2026

First baseman Pete Alonso, 31, signed a five-year, $155-million deal with the Orioles and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, who turns 33 in March, signed a five-year, $150-million deal with the Phillies.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

That was the end of Ohtani's night as the pitcher, but under a 2022 regulation change known as the 'Ohtani rule',, external he was allowed to remain in the game as designated hitter.

From BBC • Nov. 2, 2025

He kept talking about how the designated hitter in baseball was bad and why basketball was a commercial success and what teams looked promising in college football.

From "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

Related Words

• backup
• replacement