at bat

noun

plural at bats
baseball
: a turn at batting
had three hits in five at bats

Note: For the purposes of calculating a player's batting average and slugging percentage, an official at bat is charged for each turn at batting except when the player walks, hits a sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly, is hit by a pitched ball, or is interfered with by the catcher.

Examples of at bat in a Sentence

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.
Nathaniel Lowe came in for Suárez's next at bat in the eighth. ABC News, 28 June 2026 Cubs pitcher Jon Lester sets a new record for most hitless at bats to begin a career with 58 at bats without a hit. Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026 Langford and Seager got nice rounds of applause upon their returns to the plate but neither recorded a hit in their first at bat with a fly out and a pop out respectively. Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2026 The series between the Angels and A’s began with the home team collecting six straight hits and scoring five runs before the visitors had another turn at bat. Jason Burke, Oc Register, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for at bat

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of at bat was in 1908

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Cite this Entry

“At bat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20bat. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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