force play

noun

baseball
: a play in which a runner is forced to advance to the next base when the batter puts the ball in play and can be put out if a fielder holding the ball touches the base before the runner reaches it

Examples of force play in a Sentence

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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.
There were separate conversations with both managers before conferring with MLB's replay center for a rules check on what crew chief Chris Guccione said was a timing play and not a force play. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 Austin Slater followed with an RBI double, Junior Caminero was intentionally walked to load the bases and set up a force play and Ryan Vilade had a sacrifice fly to cap off the rally. — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026 In Saturday’s second inning, a weak grounder fielded by the pitcher resulted in the second out being made on a force play at the plate. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026 But Pomeranz walked Murakami to load the bases, and after a force play at the plate, Montgomery came through in the clutch to end it. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for force play

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of force play was in 1912

Rhymes for force play

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Browse Nearby Words

force-out
force play
force polygon
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Cite this Entry

“Force play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/force%20play. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on force play

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about force play

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