pickoff

1 of 2

noun

pick·​off ˈpik-ˌȯf How to pronounce pickoff (audio)
Synonyms of pickoffnext
: a baseball play in which a base runner is picked off

pick off

2 of 2

verb

picked off; picking off; picks off

transitive verb

1
: to shoot or bring down especially one by one
2
: to put out (a base runner who is off base) with a quick throw (as from the pitcher or catcher)
3
: intercept
picked off a pass

Synonyms of pickoff

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Verb

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Examples of pickoff in a Sentence

Noun He made a pickoff throw to third base. Verb picked off more passes than any other player in the division
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
Sal Frelick robbed Freddie Freeman of a double with a nice running catch in the right center field gap, but an error on a pickoff attempt at first base brought Edman in to score. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Stewart attempted a pickoff throw that went off the glove of first baseman Freddie Freeman and into foul territory for an error, advancing Hamilton to second. — CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
Henderson tried to pick off Edman, but his errant throw gave the Dodgers the lead. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 Georgia native Kyle Hamilton picked off the pass for the Ravens, which sealed their victory. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pickoff

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1911, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pickoff was in 1810

Rhymes for pickoff

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Browse Nearby Words

picknick
pickoff
pick off
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Cite this Entry

“Pickoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pickoff. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pick off

verb
1
: to shoot or bring down one by one or with a single shot
2
: to put out (a base runner who is off base) with a quick throw
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