catcher

American  

[kach-er] / ˈkætʃ ər /

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of catcher

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

Example Sentences

The debut of the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System this season, which allows pitchers, catchers and batters to appeal strike-zone calls, assures that there never will be.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sticking out his chin, Grandpa said, “Well, I’m no expert monkey catcher either, but we’re going to catch them just the same. There’s a big reward being offered for those monkeys.”

From Literature

With three-time All-Star catcher Will Smith in front of him, Dalton Rushing’s role is clear: He is the Dodgers’ backup catcher.

From Los Angeles Times

Scotland and Ireland both fielded the backfield barrage, with catchers trumping England in the air and their energised team-mates well positioned to scoop up any loose-ball from spills.

From BBC

Rushing also views playing behind Smith as a valuable opportunity to learn from one baseball’s best catchers, something he believes will help him grow as a player.

From Los Angeles Times