picked off; picking off; picks off
1
: to shoot or bring down especially one by one
2
: to put out (a base runner who is off base) with a quick throw (as from the pitcher or catcher)
3
: intercept
picked off a pass
Examples of pickoff in a Sentence
Noun
He made a pickoff throw to third base.
Verb
picked off more passes than any other player in the division
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The Dodgers even committed a third throwing error in the seventh inning when Kirby Yates threw a pickoff attempt into center field, but Atlanta did not score.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2025
Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2025
Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, but Ureña won a nine-pitch duel with Jeff McNeil, striking out the second baseman with a 97-mph sinker, and Smith picked off Marte at third to complete a rare home-to-third, strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play.
—Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pickoff
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Noun
The Tennessee softball team already has discussed the ceremonial first pitch — someone suggested a pickoff throw — and rehearsed how record-breaking ace Karlyn Pickens can avoid an awkward hug with the Knoxville Smokies’ mascot.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 22 May 2025
The Dodgers even committed a third throwing error in the seventh inning when Kirby Yates threw a pickoff attempt into center field, but Atlanta did not score.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
Idaho Democrats also took a hit: Republicans picked off a Democratic state senator in West Boise and Democratic state representatives in Central Idaho and Pocatello, the Statesman reported at the time.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2025
Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, but Ureña won a nine-pitch duel with Jeff McNeil, striking out the second baseman with a 97-mph sinker, and Smith picked off Marte at third to complete a rare home-to-third, strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play.
—Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pickoff
Cite this Entry
“Pickoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pickoff. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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