leadoff

1 of 2

noun

lead·​off ˈlēd-ˌȯf How to pronounce leadoff (audio)
Synonyms of leadoffnext
1
: a beginning or leading action
2
: one that leads off
leadoff adjective

lead off

2 of 2

verb

ˈlēd- How to pronounce lead off (audio)
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 of leadoff

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Verb

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Examples of leadoff in a Sentence

Verb plans to lead off the news conference with a prepared statement
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
Canzone hit his 13th homer to make it 4-2 in the sixth, a leadoff shot against Farris. — Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 He was scheduled to bat leadoff at DH on Tuesday, the Dodgers said on social media. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
Stowers led off the sixth with his first homer, a shot to right off Justin Sterner. — Miami Herald, 4 July 2026 Egypt’s Omar Marmoush came within inches of doubling his team’s lead off the opening kickoff of the second half. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for leadoff

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1806, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of leadoff was in 1806

Rhymes for leadoff

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Browse Nearby Words

lead ocher
leadoff
lead off
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leadoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leadoff. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

leadoff

noun
lead·​off ˈlēd-ˌȯf How to pronounce leadoff (audio)
1
: a beginning action
2
: one that begins something
leadoff adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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