home run

American  

[hohm ruhn] / ˈhoʊm ˈrʌn /

noun

home runs plural

1. Also called homer.  Baseball. a hit that enables a batter, without the aid of a fielding error, to score a run by making a nonstop circuit of the bases. h.r., hr, HR

2. a complete or unqualified success.

   trying to hit a home run at the box office.

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home run British  

noun

1. baseball a hit that enables the batter to run round all four bases, usually by hitting the ball out of the playing area

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home run Idioms  

1. A highly successful achievement; also, doubling one's profits. For example, We scored a home run with that drug stock, buying it at 15 and selling at 30. This expression originated in the mid-1800s in baseball, where it refers to a pitched ball batted so far that the batter can round all three bases and reach home plate, scoring a run. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1900s.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• home runs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of home run

An Americanism first recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

home run

In the sixth, Dodgers veteran third baseman Max Muncy delivered a go-ahead solo home run, his second home run in as many games and 20th of the year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

Their once-anemic offense has woken up, in part thanks to a much-needed contribution from offseason acquisition Caleb Durbin, who blasted the game-winning home run in Monday’s victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

Razavi’s home run has elevated her and Spark’s reputation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

It started with a leadoff walk and peaked with a three-run home run from James McCann.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026

“Dusty didn’t hit a home run in his first at bat,” I say.

From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner

Related Words

• center
• dead center
• omphalos