leadoff
Americannoun
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an act that starts something; start; beginning.
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Baseball. the player who is first in the batting order or who is first to bat for a team in an inning.
Etymology
Origin of leadoff
First recorded in 1890–95; noun use of verb phrase lead off
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Glasnow issued a leadoff walk before Graham Pauley hit a fastball for a two-run homer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 2026
Lefty Tanner Scott earned the save, retiring three straight batters after a leadoff walk, and the Dodgers extended their winning streak to six games.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
Tommy Edman was penciled into the leadoff spot and will play center field, while Alex Call will be the designated hitter and bat eighth.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
He gave up four hits and three runs in that inning, but only one of those hits, Drake Baldwin’s leadoff single, was hit hard.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
He was our leadoff hitter and liked to study the pitchers as much as I did.
From "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.