catcher

American  

[kach-er] / ˈkætʃ ər /

noun

catchers plural

1. a person or thing that catches.

2. Baseball. the player stationed behind home plate, whose chief duty is to catch pitches not hit by the batter.

3. a member of an aerialist team, as in a circus, who hangs head down from a trapeze and catches another member who has completed a jump or somersault through the air.

4. Metalworking. a person who feeds metal rods through a looping mill.

5.  catcher resonator.  Electronics. Klystron

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catcher British  

/ ˈkætʃə /

noun

1. a person or thing that catches, esp in a game or sport

2. baseball a fielder who stands behind home plate and catches pitched balls not hit by the batter

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• catchers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of catcher

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at catch, -er ¹

Explanation

In baseball or softball, the catcher is the player who crouches behind home plate and catches the pitches that aren't hit by the batter. The catcher plays an important role in the game of baseball, being the person who uses hand signals to request specific pitches and heads up the team's defense. Because of the catcher's position (behind a swinging bat, facing a fast-moving baseball), he or she wears protective gear, including a mask and chest guard. Catchers tend to have more injuries and shorter careers than other players — crouching tends to be very hard on their knees.

Example Sentences

The Dodgers also designated catcher Chuckie Robinson for assignment and added right-hander Carlos Duran to the 40-man roster.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2026

Then the announcement: “The catcher touched the runner’s hand before he reached the plate...”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2026

Eliezer Alfonzo goes 0 for 2 in his major league debut, but there were more important things for the Dodgers catcher to think about.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2026

Rushing has been the Dodgers’ primary catcher since June 6, when a neck injury sidelined Will Smith.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 4, 2026

The pitcher looks at the batter’s stance and how they hold the bat from one angle, and the catcher takes note of the batter’s swing from a different one.

From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone