at bat

noun

plural at bats
baseball
: a turn at batting
had three hits in five at bats

Note: For the purposes of calculating a player's batting average and slugging percentage, an official at bat is charged for each turn at batting except when the player walks, hits a sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly, is hit by a pitched ball, or is interfered with by the catcher.

Examples of at bat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The batter at the plate had hit a 400-foot triple in his previous at bat. John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026 Little Leaguers get their turn at bat ⚾️ The Little League World Series moves to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, starting tomorrow, with young ballplayers from around the world taking their shot at the title. Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 Rogers came in for defense on July 31, then started the next two games, going 1-for-5 at bat. Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 In the next at bat, third baseman Brooks Lee slapped a two-RBI single with a ball placed between Caglianone and Michael Massey to give the Twins a 4-3 lead, their first of the game. Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for at bat

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of at bat was in 1908

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Cite this Entry

“At bat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20bat. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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