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.
Ohtani, who will not participate in next week’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia, hit a leadoff home run off Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2026
After striking out Padres leadoff hitter Fernando Tatis Jr., Sasaki walked Samad Taylor on 10 pitches.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 27, 2026
Shohei Ohtani talks about his return, which included a leadoff homer and three walks, after sitting out one game because of soreness in his left knee.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2026
With Ohtani out, left fielder Alex Call was in the leadoff spot, and Santiago Espinal served as the designated hitter.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 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.
