English Reference
noun

catcher

n.
US /ˈkæˌtʃɝ/ UK /kˈætʃɐ/ catch·er UK spelling catchers

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate Sport

    the player in baseball who stands behind the batter and catches the ball from the pitcher.

    the defensive player positioned behind home plate who receives pitches and defends the plate against runners.

    Simple

    The catcher signaled to the pitcher to throw a fast ball.

    In context

    The catcher adjusted his mask and crouched low, preparing to receive a high-velocity pitch while keeping an eye on the runner at first base.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    a person or thing that catches something, like a ball or a falling object.

    an agent or instrument that intercepts and holds a moving object.

    Simple

    He was a great catcher of fly balls during the game in the park.

    In context

    The automated system acts as a primary catcher for debris, preventing larger particles from entering the delicate filtration unit.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical Sport

    the large, webbed glove that a hockey goalkeeper wears to catch the puck.

    the specialized, webbed catching glove worn by a goaltender on the non-stick hand.

    Simple

    The goalie made a spectacular save with his catcher.

    In context

    The goaltender's catcher was positioned perfectly to snag the puck before it could reach the top corner of the net.

    trappercatching glove

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *kap- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *kapyéti Proto-Indo-European *kaptós Proto-Italic *kaptos Vulgar Latin captus Proto-Indo-European *-yetider. Vulgar Latin -io Vulgar Latin *captiāre Old French chacierbor. Anglo-Norman cachierbor. Middle English cacchen English catch Latin -ariusbor. Proto-Germanic *-ārijaz Proto-West Germanic *-ārī Old English -ere Middle English -ere English -er English catcher From catch + -er.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated