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; 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

A ball is a ball to within a fraction of an inch, no matter how enticing a sneaky catcher can make it look to a mere mortal.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Junior catcher Michael Santillan has been a big contributor for Garfield.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

When Hall of Fame catcher and champion quipper Yogi Berra said “nobody goes there anymore—it’s too crowded,” he was referring to a popular restaurant.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

A star pass rusher or another top pass catcher being two options, but instead the Rams used that selection on a player who in all probability will not see the field at all in 2026.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Johnny was pitcher and 1 was a catcher.

From "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson