leadoff

Starting the proceedings

Leadoff describes something that comes first or opens a sequence.

In baseball, the leadoff batter hits first in the lineup; a leadoff home run comes in the first at-bat of a game.

More broadly, leadoff marks whatever begins a series: the leadoff speaker at the conference, a leadoff question in the interview.

As a noun: She's our leadoff.

beginning

start

To set going

openerWhat begins something
firstPosition number one
kickoffOpening play in football

introduction · commencement · outset · onset · inauguration · launch · debut · threshold · opening · initial

baseball

batter

Uncooked cake mixture

hitterOne who bats
lineupOrdered list of participants
singleOne in number

double · triple · homerun · steal · slugger · inning · pitcher · swing · dugout · diamond

initiate

launch

Set into motion

commenceTo set underway
startTo set going
triggerWhat initiates action

kickstart · instigate · catalyze · embark · activate · introduce · spark · begin · open · precede

Categories

swimmingswimming, swimmer, swimmers, swim team, swim teams
bowlingbowling pin, bowling ball, bowling pins, bowling balls, bowling lane
MLBbaseball, Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals, Giants
baseball actionscatch, throw, hit, pitch, field
Baseball Slangdinger, heater, K, ribby, tater
battingbatting, batter, batsman, bat speed, batting average

Opposites

sequence position

leadofffinal

Last and decisive

last · closing · concluding · terminal · ending

baseball batting order

leadoffcleanup

Restoration of order

ninth · closer · last · eighth

temporal primacy

leadofffinale

Concluding part of performance

conclusion · ending · windup · wrap-up · destination

Family

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Mostly American · Timeless · Rated G