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
With the game slowly reverting to more running since the use of larger bases and limiting the number of pickoff throws, a catcher controlling opponents on the base paths becomes even more important. Chuck Murr, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 During their pre-series meeting ahead of the 2022 World Series rematch, the Astros noticed certain tendencies the Philadelphia Phillies demonstrated on pickoff throws. Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 28 Aug. 2024
Verb
Pavel Zacha picked off a Jesper Bratt breakout pass just inside the Jersey blue line and went back on the attack. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2025 After opening the game by driving Baltimore 73 yards for a score, culminating in his 16-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman, Jackson sullied his second possession by sailing a ball over Bateman’s head that was picked off by Bills safety Taylor Rapp. Michael Silver, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near pickoff

Cite this Entry

“Pickoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pickoff. Accessed 30 Jan. 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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