shortstop

American  

[shawrt-stop] / ˈʃɔrtˌstɒp /

noun

1. Baseball.

   1. Also called short.  the position of the player covering the area of the infield between second and third base.

   2. a fielder who covers this position.

2. Also called shortstop bath.  Photography. stop bath.

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shortstop British  

/ ˈʃɔːtˌstɒp /

noun

1. baseball

   1. the fielding position to the left of second base viewed from home plate

   2. the player at this position

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Etymology

Origin of shortstop

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; short + stop

Example Sentences

Jake Bauers of the Brewers reached base after Rays shortstop Ben Williamson made a throwing error, and Bucknor called Bauers out for failing to touch first base.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

He played second base, third base and shortstop as a junior on varsity.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

First baseman Nick Kurtz ran away with AL rookie of the year honors, winning the award unanimously, with shortstop Jacob Wilson placing second.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

Credit to the Dominican, of course, for a lineup that started with Fernando Tatis Jr., with a heart of Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Manny Machado, and with shortstop Gerardo Perdomo batting ninth.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

You get that way playing shortstop, where it is so easy to make costly mistakes, which are closely related to extinction.

From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith

Related Words

• break
• break off
• cut off
• cut short
• delay
• discontinue
• disturb
• halt
• heckle
• hinder
• hold up
• impede
• prevent
• punctuate
• stop
• suspend