home plate

noun

, Baseball.

1. the base at which the batter stands and which a base runner must reach safely in order to score a run, typically a five-sided slab of whitened rubber set at ground level at the front corner of the diamond.

home plate

noun

1. baseball a flat often five-sided piece of hard rubber or other material that serves to define the area over which the pitcher must throw the ball for a strike and that a base runner must safely reach on his way from third base to score a run Also calledplatehomehome base

Word History and Origins

Origin of home plate¹

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75

Example Sentences

Dodgers and Yankees should meet at home plate before the first pitch of Game 1 and jointly burn an Astros flag inside a trash can while they bang it.

From Los Angeles Times

Then he turned and watched Freeman — with heavy spatting tape wrapped around his sprained right ankle — hobble across home plate.

From Los Angeles Times

Profar jawed with Will Smith at home plate in the top of the sixth, after Tatis was hit by a pitch from Flaherty in the previous at-bat.

From Los Angeles Times

He also was involved in one of the most infamous plays in All-Star game history, a violent collision at home plate with catcher Ray Fosse.

From Los Angeles Times

Angels reliever Ben Joyce turned his back to home plate to take a peek at the scoreboard, then tugged at his belt buckle and allowed himself a smile.

From Los Angeles Times