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

Luke had Tommy John surgery after two years pitching for Dallas Baptist, then batted .337 with 16 home runs as a designated hitter last spring.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 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

“Obviously being able to play at home this year has been a blessing,” designated hitter Augie Lopez said after he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the College Station Regional.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2026

With one towering blast to right field, the Trojans’ designated hitter silenced Texas A&M’s rowdy 12th Man.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 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