sacrifice bunt

American  

[sak-ruh-fahys buhnt] / ˈsæk rəˌfaɪs ˈbʌnt /

noun

Baseball.

1. a sacrifice hit in which a bunted ball, hit when there are fewer than two outs, is fielded to put the batter out at first base but allows one or more base runners to safely advance to their next base.

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Etymology

Origin of sacrifice bunt

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Please explain to Dave Roberts that you don’t try a sacrifice bunt when you know the Marlins then automatically walk Shohei Ohtani.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2026

They deployed strategies like the sacrifice bunt and stolen base with remarkable frequency despite lacking real evidence to justify such usage.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

They mainly hate it because over time, teams that sacrifice bunt score less than teams that don’t.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 2, 2025

Even Tommy Edman, who didn’t have a hit, contributed with a sacrifice bunt that scored a run.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2024

An error, followed quickly by a base on balls and a successful sacrifice bunt put Bear runners on second and third bases with but one out and Holleran coming to the bat.

From Jimmy Kirkland and the Plot for a Pennant by Fullerton, Hugh S.