leadoff

1 of 2

noun

lead·​off ˈlēd-ˌȯf 

1

: a beginning or leading action

2

: one that leads off

leadoff adjective

lead off

2 of 2

verb

ˈlēd- 

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)

Synonyms

Verb

• begin
• commence
• embark (on or upon)
• enter (into or upon)
• fall (to)
• get off
• kick off
• launch
• open
• start
• strike (into)

Examples of leadoff in a Sentence

Verb

plans to lead off the news conference with a prepared statement

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Kiké Hernández provided the initial spark, going the other way on a 97-mph sinker for a leadoff single. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024

Buehler has retired six straight after a leadoff walk. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2024

Verb

For the seventh straight year, ‘Future Stars Friday’ leads off the Breeders’ Cup World Championships and 14 races over two days. —Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

The Dodgers are now up to bat for the first time with Ohtani leading off. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 26 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1806, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

leadoff

noun

lead·​off ˈlēd-ˌȯf 

1

: a beginning action

2

: one that begins something

leadoff adjective