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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

designated hitter

He’d served as the designated hitter in his first two big-league games, racking up three walks in eight plate appearances.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026

Although having an injured player take up a roster spot for more than a few days isn’t ideal, it’s easier to cover for the designated hitter spot than other positions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026

He decided it was simply too risky to let lefty designated hitter Dominic Canzone bat with two runners aboard.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

Ebel, who coached Cubs star center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic this year, gave him grief for serving as the designated hitter on Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 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

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Related Words

• backup
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