pitcher

¹ American  

[pich-er] / ˈpɪtʃ ər /

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.

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pitcher ² American  

[pich-er] / ˈpɪtʃ ər /

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.

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Pitcher ³ American  

[pich-er] / ˈpɪtʃ ər /

noun

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

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pitcher ¹ British  

/ 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

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pitcher ² British  

/ 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

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pitcher Idioms  

1. see little pitchers have big ears.

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Other Word Forms

• pitcherlike adjective

Etymology

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

Explanation

In baseball or softball, the pitcher is the player who throws the ball to the catcher in an attempt to strike out the batter. Another kind of pitcher is one that holds a liquid, like a pitcher of lemonade. The pitcher is one of the most important players on a team, aiming the pitch so that it stays inside a certain "strike zone," but in a way that entices the batter to swing and miss or not to swing at all. The batter, on the other hand, tries to hit the ball that the pitcher throws, and maybe even to hit a home run. The 18th-century meaning of pitcher was "one who pitches hay into a wagon."

Example Sentences

Los Angeles Angels pitcher José Soriano has a 0.24 ERA through 37⅔ frames, a historic start for a traditional starter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

This could have been his chance, but the Dodgers decided a season-high 105 pitches from an oft-injured pitcher was enough for this afternoon.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

A pitcher caught a line drive — or rather, the ball caught him — with his jersey.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

On Tuesday, the Mets lost when combustible relief pitcher Devin Williams fell apart again, allowing Minnesota a go-ahead run and walking in a fifth run for kicks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

Arnold was none the worse for wear and made a pitcher of his special iced tea for us.

From "Lawn Boy" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• ace
• baseball player
• reliever