full count

American  

[fool kount] / ˈfʊl ˈkaʊnt /

noun

Baseball.

1. a count of three balls and two strikes on the batter, considered full because either a fourth ball or a third strike would end the at-bat by, respectively, walking or striking out the batter.

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Etymology

Origin of full count

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

His only other hiccup came in the third inning, when he hit Jason Matthews with a stray breaking ball on a full count.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

In the third, he worked a full count before blasting a belt-high sinker through the infield at 110 mph off the bat.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2025

The first full count for five years on the Farne Islands off Northumberland has revealed the endangered species has in fact increased by 15% since 2019.

From BBC • Sep. 5, 2024

Raleigh worked a full count and smashed a 3-2 slider from Okert into the upper deck in left field for the fourth pinch-hit grand slam in Mariners’ history.

From Seattle Times • May 7, 2024

No few had fallen, renowned or nameless, captain or soldier; for it was a great battle and the full count of it no tale has told.

From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien