# fastball

/ˈfæstˌbɔɫ/ (US) · /fˈɑːstbɔːl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fastball
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

a pitch in baseball that is thrown as fast as possible. It is the most common type of throw used to make it hard for the batter to hit the ball.

For teachers: a pitch delivered at maximum velocity, relying on speed rather than lateral or vertical movement to deceive the batter.

## Examples

- The pitcher threw a 95-mile-per-hour fastball.
- After throwing two slow curveballs, the pitcher surprised the batter with a high fastball right over the plate.
- While many modern pitchers rely on high-velocity fastballs to dominate the strike zone, the most effective players vary their speed to keep hitters off balance.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in sports contexts; often paired with verbs like 'throw', 'pitch', or 'clock'.

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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.