designated hitter

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of designated hitter¹

An Americanism dating back to 1970–75

Example Sentences

Also, with no designated hitter in the NL this year, Soroka must hit and run the bases.

From Washington Post

In terms of competition, the biggest change to the 2020 agreement is the lack of a universal designated hitter, something both sides had agreed to last year.

From Washington Post

Unless there’s a designated hitter in the National League this year, Schwarber will play left field for the Nationals.

From Washington Post

They also aren’t planning to have a designated hitter in 2021, somewhat slimming the need for bench offense.

From Washington Post

Schwarber and Duvall were particularly hurt by uncertainty about whether the National League will use the designated hitter in 2021.

From Washington Post

He has a very simple opinion of the designated hitter as such: “I hate the DH.”

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• backup
• replacement