Pitcher Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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pitcher

[ˈpɪtʃər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

baseball

A pitcher is a player who throws the ball to the batter in a baseball game. The pitcher's main objective is to prevent the batter from hitting the ball, either by striking the batter out or inducing a hit that can be fielded for an out.

Synonyms

flinger, hurler, thrower.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pitcher	Often used in baseball to refer to the player who throws the ball to the catcher. Can also mean a container used for holding and pouring liquids. The pitcher threw a fastball straight down the middle. She poured lemonade from the pitcher.
hurler	Primarily used in baseball or sports to describe someone who throws a ball with great force. Similar to pitcher but can imply more power. The hurler's speed and accuracy made him an asset to the team.
thrower	General term for someone who throws something, can be used in various sports or informal settings. The javelin thrower set a new record this season. He is a good thrower and often plays catch with his dog in the park.
flinger	Informal and less common, used to describe someone who throws something carelessly or without much aim. The flinger hurled the stone into the river without a second thought.

Examples of usage

The pitcher threw a perfect curveball for a strikeout.
The team's ace pitcher has a fastball that reaches over 100 mph.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

container

A pitcher is a container with a handle and a spout used for pouring liquids, such as water, juice, or lemonade.

Synonyms

decanter, ewer, jug.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pitcher	Commonly used in everyday situations to refer to a container with a handle and a spout, used for holding and pouring liquids like water, juice, or milk. She poured the lemonade from the pitcher into the glasses. We keep a pitcher of iced tea in the fridge.
jug	A versatile term that can be used for a wide range of containers with a handle and a spout, but often refers to larger containers made of ceramic or plastic, used in both informal and rustic settings. We filled a jug with cold water for our trip. She carried a ceramic jug filled with fresh milk from the farm.
ewer	An older term, often found in historical or antique contexts, referring to a large jug with a wide mouth, traditionally used for holding water for washing. The maid brought a ewer of warm water for the morning wash. A beautifully decorated ewer stood on the antique washstand.
decanter	Typically used in more formal settings to describe an elegant container, usually made of glass, for serving wine or other alcoholic beverages after they have been allowed to breathe. He poured the wine into a crystal decanter to let it aerate. They used a decanter for serving the aged whiskey.

Examples of usage

She filled the pitcher with ice-cold water.
The waiter brought a pitcher of iced tea to the table.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'pitcher'

The word 'pitcher' originated in Middle English from the Old French word 'pichier', which came from the Medieval Latin word 'picarium'. The term was initially used to describe a vessel for holding liquids before it gained the specific baseball-related meaning in the 19th century.

See also: pitch, pitchfork, pitching, pitchman.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,465, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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12462 dishonest
12463 constitutive
12464 deportation
12465 pitcher
12466 prosper
12467 facsimile
12468 tournament
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