Catcher: meaning, definitions and examples
⚾️
catcher
[ ˈkætʃər ]
baseball player position
A catcher is a player in baseball who takes a position behind home plate and catches pitches thrown by the pitcher. The catcher is responsible for signaling pitches, blocking balls in the dirt, and throwing out baserunners attempting to steal bases.
Synonyms
backstop, catcher in baseball, receiver.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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catcher |
Commonly used in baseball to refer to the player who catches pitches thrown by the pitcher. Can also mean someone who catches something physically or metaphorically.
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backstop |
Used in baseball to refer to the net or wall behind home plate that stops errant pitches. Can also mean someone or something that provides support or defense to prevent failure.
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receiver |
Commonly used in American football to refer to the player who catches passes from the quarterback. Can also be used in a broader sense to refer to anyone who receives something.
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catcher in baseball |
Specifically used in the context of baseball to refer to the player positioned behind home plate who catches balls thrown by the pitcher.
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Examples of usage
- The catcher crouched behind the plate, ready to receive the pitch.
- The catcher's gear includes a chest protector, shin guards, and a helmet.
device for catching
A catcher can also refer to a device or mechanism used for catching or trapping something, such as an insect catcher or a rainwater catcher.
Synonyms
device for catching, trap.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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catcher |
Used for a person or tool that catches something, often in sports or games.
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trap |
Implies an object or setup designed to capture someone or something, often suggesting a form of a trap. Can have a negative connotation.
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device for catching |
Refers to a tool or mechanism specifically designed to catch or trap something. Typically used in a more technical or formal context.
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Examples of usage
- The spider catcher allowed the user to catch spiders without harming them.
- The rainwater catcher collected water for gardening purposes.
person who catches something
In a more general sense, a catcher can refer to a person who catches or intercepts something, like a fish catcher or a dream catcher.
Synonyms
catcher of something, interceptor.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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catcher |
This word is commonly used in baseball to refer to the player who catches pitches thrown by the pitcher. It can also be used more broadly for someone who catches something, often in a playful or routine context.
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interceptor |
This word is often used in a technical or professional setting, referring to someone or something that intercepts, such as in military, security, or sports contexts. It can have a more serious or official tone.
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catcher of something |
This phrase can be used in various formal or poetic contexts to describe someone who catches a specific thing. It typically emphasizes the act of catching in a slightly more descriptive or dramatic way.
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Examples of usage
- The fish catcher spent hours on the boat reeling in the day's catch.
- The dream catcher hung above her bed, supposedly trapping bad dreams.
Translations
Translations of the word "catcher" in other languages:
🇵🇹 apanhador
🇮🇳 पकड़ने वाला
🇩🇪 Fänger
🇮🇩 penangkap
🇺🇦 ловець
🇵🇱 łapacz
🇯🇵 キャッチャー
🇫🇷 receveur
🇪🇸 receptor
🇹🇷 yakalayıcı
🇰🇷 포수
🇸🇦 الملتقط
🇨🇿 chytač
🇸🇰 chytač
🇨🇳 接球手
🇸🇮 lovilec
🇮🇸 fangari
🇰🇿 ұстаушы
🇬🇪 მიმღები
🇦🇿 tutucu
🇲🇽 receptor
Etymology
The word 'catcher' originated from the Middle English word 'cacchen' which means 'to seize or grasp'. Its use in baseball dates back to the mid-19th century when the position behind home plate became known as the 'catcher'. Over time, the term expanded to include various devices and individuals who catch or trap things in different contexts.
See also: catch, catching, catchphrase, catchy.