pitcher

/ˈpɪtʃər/

/ˈpɪtʃə/

Other forms: pitchers

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."

Definitions of pitcher

1. noun

   (baseball) the person who does the pitching
   “our pitcher has a sore arm”

   synonyms: hurler, twirler

   types:

   left hander, left-handed pitcher, left-hander, lefthander, lefty, southpaw

   a baseball pitcher who throws the ball with the left hand

   right-handed pitcher, right-hander

   (baseball) a pitcher who throws with the right hand

   fireman, relief pitcher, reliever

   a pitcher who does not start the game

   screwballer

   (baseball) a pitcher who throws screwballs

   starting pitcher

   (baseball) a pitcher who starts in a baseball game

   closer, finisher

   (baseball) a relief pitcher who can protect a lead in the last inning or two of the game

   type of:

   ballplayer, baseball player

   an athlete who plays baseball

   thrower

   someone who projects something (especially by a rapid motion of the arm)
2. noun

   the position on a baseball team of the player who throws the ball for a batter to try to hit
   “he has played every position except pitcher”

   synonyms: mound

   type of:

   position

   (in team sports) the role assigned to an individual player
3. noun

   an open vessel with a handle and a spout for pouring
   synonyms: ewer

   types:

   cream pitcher, creamer

   a small pitcher for serving cream

   type of:

   vessel

   an object used as a container (especially for liquids)
4. noun

   the quantity contained in a pitcher
   synonyms: pitcherful

   type of:

   containerful

   the quantity that a container will hold
5. noun

   (botany) a leaf that that is modified in such a way as to resemble a pitcher or ewer
   type of:

   foliage, leaf, leafage

   the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants