Jump To:

• pitcher
  pitcher

  noun

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

  noun

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

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.

---

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.

---

Pitcher ³ American  

[pich-er] / ˈpɪtʃ ər /

noun

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

---

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

---

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

---

pitcher Idioms  

1. see little pitchers have big ears.

---

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

See Examples For:

pitcher Pitcher

Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk came to the plate to face Reds pitcher Pat Darcy, the score tied 6-6.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

He struck out 10 batters over six shutout innings as a pitcher and blasted three home rome runs as a hitter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

The Dodgers’ steadiest pitcher and coolest cat actually seemed miffed on the mound when Smith didn’t challenge — as shocking a sight as his early exit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

The goal, hitting coach Daniel Vogelbach said, is to “take a piece of the pitcher with you” after every at-bat, regardless of the outcome.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

The lies kept coming, pouring out of Pong's mouth like water from a pitcher.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat

Taronga Conservation Society Australia Behavioural Biologist Benjamin Pitcher said the research on sea lions and seals would have real world impact.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

Gregory Zuckerman and Jack Pitcher asked Ray Dalio, BlackRock’s Rick Rieder and other leading money managers for their thoughts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

Det Ch Insp Al Pitcher, who is leading the investigation, also said "all our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved".

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

Det Ch Insp Al Pitcher, of Essex Police, previously said the Rahmans were "trying to help" Musa after he "got into difficulties" in the water.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

Ma fixed pots and scythes and rakes and picks for eggs or some such, took what we needed, then traded the rest to Ralph Pitcher for store credit at the mercantile.

From "Worth" by A. LaFaye

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• ace
• baseball player
• reliever

---