# batsman

/bˈætsmən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/batsman
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. cricket player

noun · CEFR B2

a player in the game of cricket whose job is to hit the ball and score runs.

For teachers: a player in cricket who bats, or who is currently batting. While 'batter' is increasingly used as a gender-neutral alternative, 'batsman' remains standard in many traditional contexts.

- The batsman hit a powerful shot that reached the edge of the field.
- The opening batsman managed to survive the first hour of play despite the aggressive bowling from the opposing team.

### 2. aircraft signaller

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

a person on a ship who used wooden boards to guide planes during landing.

For teachers: a flight deck officer who used hand-held paddles or bats to signal landing instructions to pilots. This role has largely been replaced by automated systems.

- In the old films, you can see a batsman guiding the plane onto the ship.
- Before the advent of modern optical landing systems, the batsman was solely responsible for ensuring the pilot maintained the correct glide path.

Usage: Usually refers to historical naval aviation contexts.

## Examples

- The batsman hit the ball toward the boundary for four runs.
- After the opening batsman was dismissed early, the team struggled to maintain a steady scoring rate against the fast bowlers.
- A skilled batsman must possess not only physical coordination but also the mental fortitude to anticipate the bowler's delivery under intense pressure from the fielding side.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.