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.
I’m grateful to be the leadoff and for all of the publicity we’re receiving.
From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026
“He wanted to see how much a manager really did,” said Jerry Royster, who played shortstop and hit leadoff that night.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026
The leadoff hitter for the Red Stockings, shortstop George Wright, is MLB’s first player.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026
Sparked by Max Muncy’s leadoff home runs in the second and fifth innings, the hot hitters up and down the Dodgers’ lineup sapped the suspense from the first of a four-game wraparound series.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 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
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.
