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perfect game

American  

noun

  1. a baseball game in which the same player pitches throughout the full game without allowing any player of the opposing team to reach first base by a base hit, base on balls, error, or any other means.

  2. a game in bowling of 12 consecutive strikes.


perfect game British  

noun

  1. baseball a game in which no batter on the opposing team reaches first base

  2. tenpin bowling a game in which a bowler scores twelve consecutive strikes

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of perfect game

First recorded in 1945–50

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.

His perfect game bid ended two batters later, with two outs, on an error.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2026

After a beloved pitcher named Damon Rutherford throws a perfect game, Henry has the most glorious night of his life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Agoura 1, Calabasas 0: Freshman Zach Partee threw a no-hitter and only a hit batter prevented a perfect game.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

"It was almost the perfect game for us, but definitely our fans," said Arne Slot, after his side secured a first Champions League quarter-final since 2022 with a devastating display against Galatasaray.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

But I’d never managed to play a perfect game.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

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