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Origin of pitch

1
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English verb picchen, piche(n), pitche “to thrust, pierce, set, set up (a tent, etc.), array, throw”; perhaps from Old English pícian, piccan, piccean (unattested) “to prick,” or akin to pick1; noun derivative of the verb

synonym study for pitch

3. See throw.

OTHER WORDS FROM pitch

pitch·a·ble, adjective

Other definitions for pitch (2 of 2)

pitch2
[ pich ]
/ pɪtʃ /

noun
any of various dark, tenacious, and viscous substances for caulking and paving, consisting of the residue of the distillation of coal tar or wood tar.
any of certain bitumens, as asphalt: mineral pitch.
any of various resins.
the sap or crude turpentine that exudes from the bark of pines.
verb (used with object)
to smear or cover with pitch.

Origin of pitch

2
First recorded before 900; Middle English pich(e), Old English pic, from Latin pic- (stem of pix ), whence also Dutch pek, German Pech; akin to Greek píssa, pítta “pitch”

OTHER WORDS FROM pitch

pitchlike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT PITCH

What is a basic definition of pitch?

Pitch means to set up a tent or similar structure, to throw something, or to promote something. Pitch has many other senses as a verb and a noun.

When you pitch a tent, you are setting or standing it up. Relatedly, pitch also means to insert something into the ground, such as tent pegs.

  • Used in a sentence: The knight pitched his sword into the ground and collapsed.

Pitch is also used to mean to throw or fling something. Pitch is used in baseball to specifically mean to throw the ball toward the batter while standing on the mound. The player who throws the ball is called the pitcher.

  • Used in a sentence: I pitched the ball of paper into the garbage. 

Pitch can also mean to try to get somebody to buy or accept something or to advertise something. This often involves trying to make whatever is being pitched sound great.

  • Real-life examples: Writers pitch stories to editors, who get to decide which stories actually get published. Employees will pitch ideas to their boss. Salespeople sometimes aggressively pitch products to potential customers.
  • Used in a sentence: We pitched our idea for a new TV show to the network, but I don’t think they liked it. 

Pitch is also used in this sense to refer to an aggressive attempt at trying to persuade someone.

  • Used in a sentence: We listened to the insurance agent’s sales pitch.

Where does pitch come from?

The first records of pitch come from around 1175. It comes from the Middle English picchen, meaning “to thrust,” “to pierce” or “to set up (a tent).”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to pitch?

  • pitcher (noun)
  • pitchable (adjective)
  • pitchlike (adjective)

What are some synonyms for pitch?

What are some words that share a root or word element with pitch

What are some words that often get used in discussing pitch?

How is pitch used in real life?

Pitch is a common word that most often means to throw something or to advertise something.

Try using pitch!

Is pitch used correctly in the following sentence?

After the show was over, we carefully pitched the circus tent and put all of the pieces of the collapsed tent back into the truck.

How to use pitch in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pitch (1 of 2)

pitch1
/ (pɪtʃ) /

verb
noun

Word Origin for pitch

C13 picchen; possibly related to pick 1

British Dictionary definitions for pitch (2 of 2)

pitch2
/ (pɪtʃ) /

noun
any of various heavy dark viscid substances obtained as a residue from the distillation of tarsSee also coal-tar pitch
any of various similar substances, such as asphalt, occurring as natural deposits
any of various similar substances obtained by distilling certain organic substances so that they are incompletely carbonized
crude turpentine obtained as sap from pine treesRelated adjective: piceous
verb
(tr) to apply pitch to (something)

Word Origin for pitch

Old English pic, from Latin pix
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

Scientific definitions for pitch

pitch
[ pĭch ]

A thick, tarlike substance obtained by distilling coal tar, used for roofing, waterproofing, and paving.
Any of various natural bitumens, such as asphalt, having similar uses.
A resin derived from the sap of a cone-bearing tree, such as a pine.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other Idioms and Phrases with pitch

pitch

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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