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
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
McMillian's controversial pickoff was Denver's fifth takeaway of the game and would be Allen's last pass of the season.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
Quadruple Loop This jump is more difficult because Malinin takes off and lands on the same leg, without the assistance of picking off the ice.
—Alice Park, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pickoff
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
There were plenty of laughs, as Montero imitated Lester’s pickoff throw and the players told some clubhouse stories, including some fights.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
McMillian's controversial pickoff was Denver's fifth takeaway of the game and would be Allen's last pass of the season.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
The lasting memory of his seven-year NFL tenure will be the astute recognition of a Seahawks goal-line concept, blowing up receiver Ricardo Lockette and picking off quarterback Russell Wilson to let New England prevail.
—Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 4 Feb. 2026
Quadruple Loop This jump is more difficult because Malinin takes off and lands on the same leg, without the assistance of picking off the ice.
—Alice Park, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pickoff
Cite this Entry
“Pickoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pickoff. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
