windup

or wind-up

[ wahynd-uhp ]

noun

1. the conclusion of any action, activity, etc.; the end or close.
2. a final act or part.
3. Baseball. the preparatory movements of the arm before pitching a ball. Compare stretch ( def 22 ).
4. Informal. a mechanical object, as a toy or wristwatch, that is driven by a spring or similar mechanism that must be wound.
5. an act or instance of winding up.

Word History and Origins

Origin of windup¹

First recorded in 1565–75; noun use of verb phrase wind up

Example Sentences

With a windup in which he would look skyward almost as if he sought guidance from a higher power, he won his first eight starts — five by shutout — shocking longtime baseball observers.

From Los Angeles Times

He joked about how he’d probably fall down if he attempted his look-to-the-heavens windup when throwing out the ceremonial first pitch opening day.

From Los Angeles Times

A new “pitch clock” limits the time the pitcher has to deliver the ball: no more than 15 seconds to start their windup or 20 with runners on base.

From Los Angeles Times

The Dodgers are working with pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, whose grip on the ball was visible when he was pitching out of a windup in his first spring start.

From Los Angeles Times

Yamamoto’s grip could be seen in the feed from the center-field camera when he was pitching out of a windup, which he starts by holding his pitching hand in his glove at about neck height.

From Los Angeles Times