: a baseball pitch in which the ball is gripped between the forked index and middle fingers

Examples of forkball 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.
In the meantime, Senga has converted both of his save opportunities, relying more on his forkball and four-seam fastball. Will Sammon, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026 In an effort to capitalize on his 99 MPH fastball and his vaunted forkball, the Mets recently decided to try him in a high-leverage role. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026 Armed with a new, higher-velocity version of his splitter/forkball, Sasaki has given the Dodgers enough signs of progress to stay in their rotation. Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 7 May 2026 Sitting between 90 and 91 mph, his splitter was almost six mph faster than his bread-and-butter forkball. Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forkball

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of forkball was in 1908

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forkball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forkball. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!