bunt

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈbənt 

1

a

: the middle part of a square sail

b

: the part of a furled sail gathered up in a bunch at the center of the yard

2

: the bagging part of a fishing net

bunt

2 of 4

verb

bunted; bunting; bunts

transitive verb

1

: to strike or push with or as if with the head : butt

2

: to push or tap (a baseball) lightly with a bat without swinging

intransitive verb

: to bunt a baseball

bunter noun

bunt

3 of 4

noun (2)

1

: an act or instance of bunting

2

: a bunted ball

bunt

4 of 4

noun (3)

: a destructive covered smut of wheat caused by a fungus (genus Tilletia)

Examples of bunt in a Sentence

Verb

The batter bunted for a single.

He bunted the ball toward third base.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The offensive outburst against Rockies (24-44) starter Austin Gomber began with leadoff hitter Manuel Margot laying down a bunt in the first. —Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 12 June 2024

Sophomore Jake Windle made contact with a bunt attempt but it was caught by London catcher, which resulted in a strike and a live ball. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2024

Verb

Slater was stranded on first after singling to lead off the home half of the first inning but came around to score after bunting his way on base in the third, and drove home a pair with his third hit. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 12 June 2024

Ashton Maloney then bunted, Canady fielded the ball and threw home. —Tim Willert, The Mercury News, 3 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

perhaps from Low German, bundle, from Middle Low German; akin to Old English byndel bundle

Verb

alteration of butt

Noun (3)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1584, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

circa 1790, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bunt

• drag bunt
• sac bunt
• sacrifice bunt

Kids Definition

bunt

verb

ˈbənt

1

: to strike or push with the horns or head : butt

2

: to push or tap a baseball lightly without swinging the bat

bunt noun

bunter noun