pitcher

¹

[pich-er]

noun

1. a container, usually with a handle and spout or lip, for holding and pouring liquids.

2. Botany.

   1. a pitcherlike modification of the leaf of certain plants.

   2. an ascidium.

pitcher

²

[pich-er]

noun

1. a person who pitches.

2. Baseball.,  the player who throws the ball to the opposing batter.

3. Also called number seven iron. Golf.,  a club with an iron head the face of which has more slope than a mashie but less slope than a pitching niblick.

4. sett.

Pitcher

³

[pich-er]

noun

1. Molly Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley, 1754–1832, American Revolutionary heroine.

pitcher

¹

/ ˈpɪtʃə /

noun

1. a large jug, usually rounded with a narrow neck and often of earthenware, used mainly for holding water

2. botany any of the urn-shaped leaves of the pitcher plant

pitcher

²

/ ˈpɪtʃə /

noun

1. baseball the player on the fielding team who pitches the ball to the batter

2. a granite stone or sett used in paving

Other Word Forms

• pitcherlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pitcher¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English picher, from Old French pichier, from Medieval Latin picārium, variant of bicārium beaker

Origin of pitcher²

First recorded in 1700–10; pitch ¹ + -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of pitcher¹

C13: from Old French pichier, from Medieval Latin picārium, variant of bicārium _beaker

Idioms and Phrases

see little pitchers have big ears.

Example Sentences

Fans of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs might want to hold their ears when the wrongful death trial brought by his widow and parents against the Angels resumes Monday.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The San Diego Padres picked a former relief pitcher who began on the other side of the hiring process as a member of the front office, only to become a candidate for the job himself.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It features relief pitcher Roki Sasaki and Smith embracing after the Dodgers clinched the National League pennant, with the slogan “On the Double.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

His latest act of brilliance, trading Taylor Ward for an injured pitcher who hasn’t played for well over a year, is mind boggling.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Friday’s decision — which will make Phillips a free agent — reflects the uncertainty around the pitcher’s status for next season, following the Tommy John procedure he had last June.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ace 
• baseball player www.thesaurus.com
• reliever