leadoff

1 of 2

noun

lead·​off ˈlēd-ˌȯf How to pronounce leadoff (audio)
Synonyms of leadoffnext
1
: a beginning or leading action
2
: one that leads off
leadoff adjective

lead off

2 of 2

verb

ˈlēd- How to pronounce lead off (audio)
led off; leading off; leads off

intransitive verb

: begin
also : to come on or perform first

transitive verb

1
: to make a start on : open
2
: to bat first for a baseball team in (an inning)

Synonyms of leadoff

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Verb

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Examples of leadoff in a Sentence

Verb plans to lead off the news conference with a prepared statement
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.
Noun
Hernández and Edman — hitting leadoff in place of Shohei Ohtani, who got the day off while dealing with a nagging biceps problem — were the only Dodgers with hits Thursday. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Cardinals reliever George Soriano loaded the bases with a leadoff walk to Hernández and consecutive two-out walks to pinch-hitter Max Muncy and Kyle Tucker in the eighth before pinch-hitter Dalton Rushing went down swinging. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
Athletics starter Jacob Lopez hit Mayo with a pitch leading off the second then walked Leodys Taveras with one out. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 Hernandez led off the eighth with his 21st homer of the season, a shot to center off Max Kranick for the 9-2 final. — Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leadoff

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1806, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of leadoff was in 1806

Rhymes for leadoff

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Browse Nearby Words

lead ocher
leadoff
lead off
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leadoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leadoff. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

leadoff

noun
lead·​off ˈlēd-ˌȯf How to pronounce leadoff (audio)
1
: a beginning action
2
: one that begins something
leadoff adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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