catcher

American  

[kach-er] / ˈkætʃ ər /

noun

catchers plural

1. a person or thing that catches.

2. Baseball. the player stationed behind home plate, whose chief duty is to catch pitches not hit by the batter.

3. a member of an aerialist team, as in a circus, who hangs head down from a trapeze and catches another member who has completed a jump or somersault through the air.

4. Metalworking. a person who feeds metal rods through a looping mill.

5.  catcher resonator.  Electronics. Klystron

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catcher British  

/ ˈkætʃə /

noun

1. a person or thing that catches, esp in a game or sport

2. baseball a fielder who stands behind home plate and catches pitched balls not hit by the batter

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• catchers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of catcher

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at catch, -er ¹

Explanation

In baseball or softball, the catcher is the player who crouches behind home plate and catches the pitches that aren't hit by the batter. The catcher plays an important role in the game of baseball, being the person who uses hand signals to request specific pitches and heads up the team's defense. Because of the catcher's position (behind a swinging bat, facing a fast-moving baseball), he or she wears protective gear, including a mask and chest guard. Catchers tend to have more injuries and shorter careers than other players — crouching tends to be very hard on their knees.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

catcher catchers

Challenges must be requested immediately and can only come from the batter, pitcher or catcher with no assistance from the dugout.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

With starting catcher Will Smith sidelined indefinitely because of a neck injury, Alfonzo has served as the backup to Dalton Rushing for the last two weeks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

Would it be nice for the Dodgers to get their three-time All-Star catcher back in time for October?

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026

A hard-hitting left-handed middle-order batter, he was capable of bowling in three distinct styles, as well as being an athletic fielder and a fine close catcher.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

Johnny gave me a hug and said, “I will. Don’t forget, I always need a catcher that can call a good game.”

From "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson

Root was aggressive, with plenty of catchers in place for most of the day.

From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026

Knowing conditions were in their favour and time on the field was short, England crowded the bat with as many as seven close catchers.

From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026

In addition to teammates, Sasaki has grown close with the Dodgers bullpen catchers, Hamlet Marte and Francisco Herrera.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026

They say catchers make the best managers, and Brown is another example of using his catcher’s experience to help with coaching.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026

Slave catchers didn’t show their faces often, but it wasn’t unheard of.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead