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Synonyms

designated hitter

American  

noun

Baseball.

  1. a hitter selected prior to the start of the game to bat for the starting pitcher and all subsequent pitchers without otherwise affecting the status of the pitchers in the game. DH, dh

Etymology

Origin of designated hitter

An Americanism dating back to 1970–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He served as the Cubs’ designated hitter during their postseason run, which ended in a five-game loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in the division series.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026

That was the end of Ohtani's night as the pitcher, but under a 2022 regulation change known as the 'Ohtani rule',, external he was allowed to remain in the game as designated hitter.

From BBC • Nov. 2, 2025

As of 2022, starting pitchers have been allowed to remain in the lineup as the designated hitter even after leaving the mound.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 1, 2025

Under baseball’s current rules, if he pitches in relief and is removed from the game as a pitcher, he would also have to be removed as the designated hitter.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2025

He kept talking about how the designated hitter in baseball was bad and why basketball was a commercial success and what teams looked promising in college football.

From "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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