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.
Munetaka Murakami made the quick decision to step on the bag and then throw to the plate, where catcher Drew Romo tagged out Trevor Larnach for an unconventional inning-ending double play. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026 The missile completed an inning-ending double play, helped the Yankees escape a jam with two men in scoring position, and preserved a 1-0 lead for the pinstripers. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 Aug. 2026 Mauricio Dubon’s ground ball up the middle was deflected by a diving Betts right to Edman at second base to start an inning-ending double play. — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026 Perez drove in the first run of the game despite grounding into a double play, then tacked on a go-ahead RBI single in the fifth for a 2-1 Kansas City lead. — ABC News, 25 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 1 Sep. 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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