catcher

[ kach-er ]

noun

1. a person or thing that catches.
2. Baseball. the player stationed behind home plate, whose chief duty is to catch pitches not hit by the batter.
3. a member of an aerialist team, as in a circus, who hangs head down from a trapeze and catches another member who has completed a jump or somersault through the air.
4. Metalworking. a person who feeds metal rods through a looping mill.
5. catch·er res·o·na·tor [kach, -er rez-, uh, -ney-ter]. Electronics. Klystron

catcher

/ ˈkætʃə /

noun

1. a person or thing that catches, esp in a game or sport
2. baseball a fielder who stands behind home plate and catches pitched balls not hit by the batter

Word History and Origins

Origin of catcher¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; catch, -er ¹

Example Sentences

This seems particularly relevant, since many players have already reported to their team’s facilities in Florida and Arizona — and some teams’ pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report a week from today.

From Washington Post

Some of the finest catchers in the history of the game excelled in their 30s.

From FiveThirtyEight

Kelce, typically an automatic catcher, dropped a crucial third-down pass deep in Kansas City territory, which led to rookie Tommy Townsend’s shanked punt.

From Washington Post

He should demand a long-term, nine-figure contract as the sport’s best catcher.

From Washington Post

The stable of productive pass catchers from Alabama runs deep with John Metchie, Slade Bolden and even tight end Miller Forristall contributing significantly.

From FiveThirtyEight

The most critical person for a timely beginning of trial that day was a cat catcher on contract to the Amereicans.

From The Daily Beast

In 1908, Washington Senators catcher Gabby Street attempted to catch a ball being dropped from the top of the Washington Monument.

From The Daily Beast

Confusion over the catcher's eye black is just the tip of the iceberg for this befuddled limey.

From The Daily Beast

As far as seeing the target, the catcher put tape on his fingers so I could see the signals.

From The Daily Beast

Can you instruct someone how to make an origami ‘cootie catcher’ with just words?

From The Daily Beast

Ollie Shreck, Rube's regular catcher, wouldn't sign a contract one season.

From Project Gutenberg

The fly-catcher (stoparola) has not yet appeared; it usually breeds in my vine.

From Project Gutenberg

The Chinese thief-catcher went about his work in a scientific fashion.

From Project Gutenberg

The water pitcher was traded by Cap Kiefer, catcher of the nine, you know.

From Project Gutenberg

A catcher is one who seizes the rolled plate as it comes out and throws it back to the roller.

From Project Gutenberg