fastball

noun

fast·​ball ˈfas(t)-ˌbȯl How to pronounce fastball (audio)
: a baseball pitch thrown at full speed and often appearing to rise slightly as it nears the plate
fastballer
ˈfas(t)-ˌbȯ-lər How to pronounce fastball (audio)
noun

Examples of fastball in a Sentence

He struck him out with a fastball.
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.
When needed, Luzardo was also able to pull out his four-seam fastball or off-speed changeup. — Kansas City Star, 5 July 2026 The changing of speed, the changeup, curveball, sinker, fastball, everything worked well for me. — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 The right-hander’s arsenal features a slider, four-seam fastball and cutter. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 Fouling off a sinker in the heart of the zone, swinging through a sweeper above the zone and then having to swing at a fastball on the outer edge and grounding into a force out? — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fastball

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fastball was in 1883

Phrases Containing fastball

Rhymes for fastball

See All Rhymes for fastball

Browse Nearby Words

fastback
fastball
fastballer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fastball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fastball. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fastball

noun
fast·​ball ˈfas(t)-ˌbȯl How to pronounce fastball (audio)
: a baseball pitch thrown at full speed

More from Merriam-Webster on fastball

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fastball

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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