shortstop

1 of 2

noun (1)

short·​stop ˈshȯrt-ˌstäp How to pronounce shortstop (audio)
1
: the player position in baseball for defending the infield area on the third-base side of second base
2
: the player stationed in the shortstop position

short-stop

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈshȯrt-ˌstäp How to pronounce short-stop (audio)
: stop bath

Examples of shortstop 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.
Noun
Lombard became the first Yankees shortstop since Roger Peckinpaugh in 1915 to commit an error in six straight games. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Last season, Volpe led American League shortstops with 19 errors while playing with a torn labrum in his shoulder for the final four months. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 The club also provided an update on shortstop Willy Adames, who sustained a moderate sprain to his left elbow on a slide into the plate Sunday against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 As Lopez slid into second base, Red Sox catcher Connor Wong’s throw bounced past shortstop Andruw Monasterio, off Lopez’s head and into the outfield. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shortstop

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shortstop was in 1857

Rhymes for shortstop

See All Rhymes for shortstop

Browse Nearby Words

short-stay
shortstop
short-stop
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

shortstop

noun
short·​stop ˈshȯrt-ˌstäp How to pronounce shortstop (audio)
: the baseball infielder whose position is between second and third base

More from Merriam-Webster on shortstop

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shortstop

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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