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

Ohtani, who has continued to play as the designated hitter, went 0 for 4 on Monday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

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

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said postgame that Ohtani won’t be the designated hitter on Saturday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 4, 2026

Shohei Ohtani leads at designated hitter, Freddie Freeman at first base, Max Muncy at third base, and Andy Pages in the outfield.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 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