pitch
pitch Lexical Profile
pitch Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The quality of a sound governed by the rate of vibrations producing it, determining its degree of highness or lowness.
"The choir director used a tuning fork to help the singers find the exact pitch before beginning the piece."
British An area of ground marked out or used for playing an outdoor team game such as soccer, rugby, or cricket.
"Thousands of supporters cheered loudly as the two rival teams walked out onto the grass pitch."
A persuasive speech, presentation, or line of talk intended to sell a product, promote an idea, or secure business backing.
"The young entrepreneurs delivered a compelling pitch to the panel of venture capitalists."
An act of throwing or hurling a ball, especially the delivery of a baseball by a pitcher to a batter, or the degree of steepness of a slope or roof.
"The batter swung and missed at a fast pitch on the outside corner of the plate."
A sticky, black, resinous substance obtained as a residue from the distillation of tar, petroleum, or turpentine, used for waterproofing and paving.
"Ancient shipbuilders coated the wooden hulls with hot pitch to make the vessels watertight."
• verb
To throw, fling, or hurl something roughly or toward a specific target (especially to deliver a baseball toward the batter).
"She pitched three scoreless innings to help her team win the championship game."
To present or promote an idea, project, or product to prospective clients, buyers, or decision-makers in a persuasive way.
"The screenwriter pitched her concept for a historical drama to several television networks."
To set up and fix firmly in position (especially a tent or camp).
"We pitched our tent in a sheltered clearing just before the evening rain began."
To set at a particular musical note, degree of slope, or level of sophistication.
"The professor pitched the introductory lecture at a level accessible to first-year students."
To oscillate or plunge forward and backward alternately along a longitudinal axis (especially of a ship at sea or an aircraft in flight).
"The research vessel pitched heavily as it navigated through the towering ocean swells."
Word Nuance & Usage
In British English, 'pitch' is the standard term for an outdoor sports playing field (such as a football or cricket pitch), whereas in American English its athletic use is primarily restricted to the act of throwing a baseball.
• Rhymes for pitch
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The word represents the convergence of two distinct etymological roots: the sense denoting a dark resinous substance comes from Old English 'pic', borrowed from Latin 'pix' (genitive 'picis'); the verb and related noun senses of throwing, thrusting, or setting up derive from Middle English 'picchen', related to Old English 'picung' (pricking or marking).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.