fastball

noun

fast·​ball ˈfas(t)-ˌbȯl How to pronounce fastball (audio)
: a baseball pitch thrown at full speed and often appearing to rise slightly as it nears the plate
fastballer
ˈfas(t)-ˌbȯ-lər How to pronounce fastball (audio)
noun

Examples of fastball in a Sentence

He struck him out with a fastball.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His four seam fastball has a unique shape and gets up to 99 mph with plus command, and that pairs well with his great curveball, good change-up, and strong cutter. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Crews lined an 0-1 four-seam fastball from Michael Petersen (3-4) into right-center field to end it. — Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026 The catcher got a fastball up and hit it to right field for a single, breaking up the bid for a perfect game. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2026 Then with two outs, Clark stayed back on an outside fastball and sent it the other way for a triple that drove in the game’s first run. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fastball

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fastball was in 1883

Phrases Containing fastball

Rhymes for fastball

See All Rhymes for fastball

Browse Nearby Words

fastback
fastball
fastballer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fastball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fastball. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fastball

noun
fast·​ball ˈfas(t)-ˌbȯl How to pronounce fastball (audio)
: a baseball pitch thrown at full speed

More from Merriam-Webster on fastball

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fastball

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