WordGarden.iohitter
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈɪtə/
US
- /ˈhɪtər/
Meanings
Noun
a player who hits a ball, especially in baseball or a similar sport
a person who physically strikes another person
(slang)a hired killer or criminal enforcer
Beyond the definition
The term "hitter" is most famous in baseball, where it means the player who tries to hit the ball with a bat. A good one gets on base often and helps bring in runs. But the word is not limited to baseball. It can also describe someone who hits hard, such as a boxer with a strong punch. In a wider, figurative sense, a "heavy hitter" is a person with a lot of power or influence in a field, such as business or politics. Whether the meaning is literal or figurative, the word usually suggests strength, force, or impact.
The word "hitter" has several meanings, and they all connect to the idea of striking something or having a strong effect. Its best-known use is in baseball, where a "hitter" is the player trying to hit the pitched ball with a bat. A successful hitter makes solid contact, gets on base, and helps move runners and score runs. For example, a "cleanup hitter" is usually a strong batter placed fourth in the lineup to bring runners home.
However, "hitter" also appears outside baseball and can describe someone who hits with force. A boxer may be called a "hard hitter" because of strong punches, and in some contexts the word can refer more generally to an attacker or someone who strikes others.
The word also has a figurative use. In business, politics, and other professional settings, "heavy hitters" are the people with the most power, influence, or ability to get results. In writing, reporting, or debate, a "hard-hitting" style is direct, strong, and often critical, though that form is usually used as an adjective rather than as the noun "hitter." Context matters: the word may point to baseball, physical force, or social and professional influence. In every case, it carries the idea of strength and noticeable impact.
Examples
- 1
Sports
She's one of the best hitters on the team.
- 2
Baseball power
The lineup is built around two power hitters in the middle.
- Phrasepower hitter
a player who often hits long balls and home runs
- 3
Baseball contact
Even without much power, he's a reliable contact hitter.
- Phrasecontact hitter
a player who gets a lot of base hits
- 4
Business influence
The company hired a heavy hitter from Silicon Valley to lead the project.
- Phraseheavy hitter
a very powerful or influential person
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Political influence
The charity dinner attracted several political heavy hitters.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- hitternoun
Forms
- hitterspluralnoun