Reliever
/rɪˈliːvər/
Definitions
2 meaningsA person or thing that provides relief or assistance.
/rɪˈliːvər/
A person or thing that relieves someone or something.
The team's star pitcher was the reliever of the night.
💡 Simply: A reliever is like a helper! Imagine you're super tired, and someone offers to take over for you – they're being a reliever. Or, if you have a headache, a pain reliever is a reliever for your head!
👶 For kids: A reliever is someone or something that helps you feel better or makes something easier. Like when your mom helps you with your homework!
More Examples
The doctor prescribed a pain reliever to help her with her headache.
The new tax cuts acted as a reliever for small businesses.
How It's Used
"The baseball team brought in a new reliever to pitch in the ninth inning."
"The new policy was a reliever to people who were struggling financially."
In baseball, a pitcher who replaces the starting pitcher.
/rɪˈliːvər/
In baseball, a pitcher who comes in to pitch after the starting pitcher.
The coach brought in a reliever in the seventh inning.
💡 Simply: In baseball, a reliever is the pitcher that comes in after the first pitcher gets tired or is playing badly, much like someone coming in to help in a game.
👶 For kids: In baseball, a reliever is the person who comes in to pitch when the first pitcher is done.
More Examples
The reliever had a strong fastball and quickly struck out the batter.
The bullpen's job is to house the relievers.
How It's Used
"The team's closer is often the final reliever."
From Middle English *releven*, from Old French *relever* (“to raise again, lift up, relieve”), from Latin *relevāre* (“to lighten, alleviate”), from *re-* (“again”) + *levāre* (“to raise, lift up”), from *levis* (“light”).
The term has been used since the late 17th century, evolving from the verb 'relieve'. In baseball, usage became prominent in the 20th century as the role of specialized pitchers increased.
Memory tip
Think of a firefighter arriving as a reliever at a scene.
Word Origin
"to lighten, alleviate (from *re-* (again) + *levāre* (to raise, lift up))"