designated hitter

noun

baseball : a player who is chosen at the beginning of a game to bat in the place of the pitcher and who does not play a position in the field

Full Definition of DESIGNATED HITTER

: a baseball player designated at the start of the game to bat in place of the pitcher without causing the pitcher to be removed from the game

See designated hitter defined for English-language learners

1973

Synonyms: backup, cover, substitute, fill-in, locum tenens, pinch hitter, relief, replacement, reserve, stand-in, sub

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