pitcher

1 of 2

noun (1)

pitch·​er ˈpi-chər How to pronounce pitcher (audio)
Synonyms of pitchernext
1
: a container for holding and pouring liquids that usually has a lip or spout and a handle
2
: a modified leaf of a pitcher plant in which the hollowed petiole and base of the blade form an elongated receptacle
pitcherful
ˈpi-chər-ˌfu̇l How to pronounce pitcher (audio)
noun

pitcher

2 of 2

noun (2)

: one that pitches
specifically : the player who pitches in a game of baseball

Synonyms of pitcher

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Noun (1)

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Examples of pitcher in a Sentence

Noun (1) please bring me the pitcher of lemonade from the table
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
Judge will face live pitching on Monday against to-be-determined pitchers. — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026 MacDonald, from Milford and Notre Dame-West Haven, pitched for UConn and was, in fact, the winning pitcher in the first of Jim Penders’ more than 800 wins in 2004. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026 Ohtani falls under the 15-day category for the IL, which covers pitchers and two-way players, as opposed to the 10-day list for position players. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026 Lawrence Butler drove in the go-ahead run with two-run single in the top of the fifth, and Athletics pitchers combined for 18 strikeouts in a 7-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pitcher

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English picher, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin bicarius drinking cup

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pitcher was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing pitcher

Rhymes for pitcher

See All Rhymes for pitcher

Browse Nearby Words

pitched field
pitcher
pitchered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pitcher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pitcher. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pitcher

1 of 2 noun
pitch·​er ˈpich-ər How to pronounce pitcher (audio)
: a container for holding and pouring liquids that usually has a lip or spout and a handle

pitcher

2 of 2 noun
: one that pitches
especially : a baseball player who pitches
Etymology

Noun

Middle English picher "container for pouring liquids," from early French (same meaning), from Latin bicarius "drinking vessel, goblet"

Noun

from pitch "to erect in place, throw a ball" and -er, noun suffix

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