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

See Examples For:

designated hitter

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said postgame that Ohtani won’t be the designated hitter on Saturday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 4, 2026

Ohtani was in Tuesday’s lineup at designated hitter, and Roberts said he would DH on Wednesday as well.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

With Ohtani out, rookie Ryan Ward served as the designated hitter Friday, batting seventh.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 20, 2026

Then, the Dodgers would have had to reconfigure their defense, likely moving first baseman Freddie Freeman to third, catcher Dalton Rushing to first base and Smith behind the plate, forfeiting the designated hitter spot.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026

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