pickoff

1 of 2

noun

pick·​off ˈpik-ˌȯf How to pronounce pickoff (audio)
: 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

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
Lee exited in the sixth inning with a left ankle sprain after trying to return to first on a pickoff throw. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025 Hailey Huerta and Hayden Huerta hit back-to-back singles to lead off the third and then both scored on wild pickoff throw and an error in the outfield on the same play, making the score 3-0. Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
Black was feisty on the defensive end, picking off passes and pushing the pace the other direction. Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2025 Instead, veteran guard Gary Harris picked off the pass, went the other direction and dropped the ball to a trailing Paolo Banchero, who slammed it on a full head of steam. Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Pickoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pickoff. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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