double play

noun

: a play in baseball by which two players are put out

Examples of double play in a Sentence

The batter hit into a double play. They turned a double play to end the inning.
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.
With the smaller infield, double plays on grounders don’t happen in softball much, especially in Little League. — Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026 Lombard also helped turn a double play in the second inning and handled another tough one-hopper hit by Cesar Prieto in the seventh. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026 Josh Bell walked to leadoff the fourth inning, moved to third base on a single by Royce Lewis and scored when Victor Caratini grounded into a double play to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead. — CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Victor Caratini grounded into a double play as Bell scored from third base. — Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for double play

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of double play was in 1860

Rhymes for double play

See All Rhymes for double play

Browse Nearby Words

double-pitch
double play
double plea
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Double play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double%20play. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

double play

noun
: a play in baseball in which two base runners are put out

More from Merriam-Webster on double play

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about double play

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