noun / verb
bat
A club used to hit a ball in a game.
The batter swings the bat toward the ball.
Etymology
The older word names a club or stick. Sporting use narrows it to an implement for striking a ball, and the verb names the action performed with it.
More examples
- She batted the ball across the field.
- They have batted through the first inning.
- Several bats stood beside the bench.
Forms
bat · bats · batted · batting
batter noun — A player who hits a ball with a bat.