General
punchout
What does punchout mean?
A strikeout, named for the punching motion the plate umpire makes to signal a called third strike.
"That's punchout number ten for the starter tonight."
Origin
American baseball slang from the umpire's emphatic ring-up gesture.
Frequently asked questions
What is a punchout in baseball?
It's a strikeout, named for the punching motion the plate umpire makes to signal a called third strike.
Why is a strikeout called a punchout?
Umpires often ring up a called third strike with an emphatic punching gesture, giving the strikeout its nickname.
Does a punchout only mean a called strikeout?
It's most associated with a called third strike because of the umpire's gesture, but it's used broadly for strikeouts.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
