leadoff
1 of 2noun
lead·off ˈlēd-ˌȯf 
1
: a beginning or leading action
2
: one that leads off
leadoff adjective
lead off
2 of 2verb
ˈlēd-
led off; leading off; leads off
intransitive verb
: begin
also : to come on or perform first
transitive verb
1
: to make a start on : open
2
: to bat first for a baseball team in (an inning)
Synonyms
Verb
- begin
- commence
- embark (on or upon)
- enter (into or upon)
- fall (to)
- get off
- kick off
- launch
- open
- start
- strike (into)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb plans to lead off the news conference with a prepared statement
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2022 As India struggled at the plate, Bell started considering moving him from the leadoff spot into the middle of the order. Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2022 Manager Tony La Russa inserted Vaughn in the leadoff role. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2022 Trump is asking that judge for a special master, a neutral third party representative to review the documents seized at Mar-a-Lago. With that, let`s get to our leadoff panel. NBC News, 26 Aug. 2022 Indeed, Betts’ leadoff double came on the second pitch of his at-bat. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2022 Pence was in Iowa on Friday as part of a two day-trip to the state, which hosts the leadoff Republican presidential caucuses. Thomas Beaumont, USA TODAY, 21 Aug. 2022 Almora, who had grass stains from below his knee to above his shoulder, took away two leadoff hits and preserved Ashcraft’s low pitch count. The Enquirer, 20 Aug. 2022 Pence was in Iowa on Friday as part of a two-day trip to the state, which is scheduled to host the 2024 leadoff Republican presidential caucuses. Thomas Beaumont, Anchorage Daily News, 20 Aug. 2022 Bobby Nightengale, The Enquirer, 7 Aug. 2022 DJ LeMahieu hit his 10th home run of the season to lead off the bottom of the first, and Judge followed with a single before scoring on Gleyber Torres’ RBI double. Greg Tartaglia, USA TODAY, 30 July 2022 After Arkansas reliever Evan Taylor hit David Mendham to lead off the bottom of the third, McLean followed with a home run. Bob Holt, Arkansas Online, 5 June 2022 Reese McGuire’s first career triple to lead off the eighth was squandered with a strikeouts by Bobby Dalbec and Tommy Pham, then a Rafael Devers ground out. Julian Mcwilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2022 So while the steal has been snatched from the game, the Dodgers’ propensity to lead off and swipe right has proven worthwhile. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2022 Targac's homer to lead off the sixth was the last pitch Phillips threw Saturday afternoon and came during the Aggies' third trip through the order against the sophomore lefty. Brooks Holton, The Courier-Journal, 11 June 2022 Schow put a cherry on top of his Tuesday performance with a solo home run to lead off the top of the sixth inning, sailing the ball well over the left field fence. oregonlive, 7 June 2022 Jurickson Profar singled automatic extra inning runner Jesus Azocar to third with a single to lead off the 10th and Jake Cronenworth followed with a towering three-run blast to right. Curt Hogg, Journal Sentinel, 5 June 2022 See More
Noun
Neither decision worked out, but it’s the thought that counts. Moving Andrus to the leadoff spot Monday worked to perfection, and the veteran shortstop is hitting .367 with three home runs with Cairo as his manager. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2022 As India struggled at the plate, Bell started considering moving him from the leadoff spot into the middle of the order. Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2022 Manager Tony La Russa inserted Vaughn in the leadoff role. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2022 Trump is asking that judge for a special master, a neutral third party representative to review the documents seized at Mar-a-Lago. With that, let`s get to our leadoff panel. NBC News, 26 Aug. 2022 Indeed, Betts’ leadoff double came on the second pitch of his at-bat. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2022 Pence was in Iowa on Friday as part of a two day-trip to the state, which hosts the leadoff Republican presidential caucuses. Thomas Beaumont, USA TODAY, 21 Aug. 2022 Almora, who had grass stains from below his knee to above his shoulder, took away two leadoff hits and preserved Ashcraft’s low pitch count. The Enquirer, 20 Aug. 2022 Pence was in Iowa on Friday as part of a two-day trip to the state, which is scheduled to host the 2024 leadoff Republican presidential caucuses. Thomas Beaumont, Anchorage Daily News, 20 Aug. 2022 Verb
The Reds recovered after closer Hunter Strickland blew his fourth save in 11 opportunities, surrendering a solo homer to Keston Hiura to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning. Bobby Nightengale, The Enquirer, 7 Aug. 2022 DJ LeMahieu hit his 10th home run of the season to lead off the bottom of the first, and Judge followed with a single before scoring on Gleyber Torres’ RBI double. Greg Tartaglia, USA TODAY, 30 July 2022 After Arkansas reliever Evan Taylor hit David Mendham to lead off the bottom of the third, McLean followed with a home run. Bob Holt, Arkansas Online, 5 June 2022 Reese McGuire’s first career triple to lead off the eighth was squandered with a strikeouts by Bobby Dalbec and Tommy Pham, then a Rafael Devers ground out. Julian Mcwilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2022 So while the steal has been snatched from the game, the Dodgers’ propensity to lead off and swipe right has proven worthwhile. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2022 Targac's homer to lead off the sixth was the last pitch Phillips threw Saturday afternoon and came during the Aggies' third trip through the order against the sophomore lefty. Brooks Holton, The Courier-Journal, 11 June 2022 Schow put a cherry on top of his Tuesday performance with a solo home run to lead off the top of the sixth inning, sailing the ball well over the left field fence. oregonlive, 7 June 2022 Jurickson Profar singled automatic extra inning runner Jesus Azocar to third with a single to lead off the 10th and Jake Cronenworth followed with a towering three-run blast to right. Curt Hogg, Journal Sentinel, 5 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
circa 1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1806, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
leadoff 1 of 2
adjective
as in first
coming before all others in time or order the leadoff batter Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- first
- inaugural
- initial
- maiden
- original
- foremost
- premier
- earliest
- previous
- pioneer
- prime
- primary
- headmost
- early
- primordial
- preceding
- antecedent
- primeval
- primal
- virgin
- ancient
- primitive
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- last
- final
- latter
- ultimate
- latest
- terminal
- subsequent
- advanced
- following
- late
- succeeding
- ensuing
- terminating
- consequent
- penultimate
lead off
2 of 2verb
as in to begin
to take the first step in (a process or course of action) plans to lead off the news conference with a prepared statement Synonyms & Similar Words
- begin
- set about
- get off
- commence
- get going
- start
- kick off
- open
- get to
- launch
- fall (to)
- embark (on or upon)
- found
- strike (into)
- create
- enter (into or upon)
- take up
- generate
- initiate
- originate
- father
- organize
- take on
- adopt
- institute
- innovate
- invent
- pioneer
- establish
- get around (to)
- inaugurate
- set up
- get round (to)
- spawn
- get down (to)
- embrace
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lay off
- end
- finish
- stop
- conclude
- terminate
- cease
- complete
- halt
- close
- quit
- discontinue
- leave
- desist
- knock off
- abandon
- destroy
- forsake
- abolish
- phase out
- extinguish
- demolish
- exterminate