leadoff

1 of 2

noun

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

lead off

2 of 2

verb

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)

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
After a leadoff groundout, Gavin Klein doubled down the left field line and Will Rose was intentionally walked. Miami Herald, 7 June 2025 The star shortstop and leadoff hitter was hit by a slider from right-hander Tony Gonsolin in the first inning of Wednesday night’s 6-1 win, with the pitch breaking his right pinky toe. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
Verb
Jonathan India is leading off, followed by Bobby Witt Jr., as has been the case most of the season. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2025 But after walking Mike Trout to lead off the ninth, Cooper Criswell (1-0) got the next three batters out to give Boston a chance to walk it off. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leadoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leadoff. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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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