A pitcher is a container designed for holding and pouring liquids, usually with a handle on one side and a spout on the other. You've probably seen pitchers of lemonade at summer picnics or pitchers of milk on the dinner table. The spout makes it easy to pour without spilling, and the handle keeps your hand away from cold or hot liquids.

Pitchers come in many sizes and materials. A small cream pitcher holds just enough for coffee, while a large water pitcher might hold a gallon. Glass pitchers let you see what's inside, while ceramic pitchers might have decorative patterns. Some pitchers are practical everyday items, while antique pitchers can be valuable collectibles.

The word also refers to the baseball player who throws the ball to the batter. The pitcher stands on a raised mound in the center of the diamond and tries to throw the ball past the batter or make them hit it poorly. Great pitchers like Sandy Koufax or Nolan Ryan could throw the ball over 100 miles per hour. Being a pitcher requires skill, strategy, and endurance, since a starting pitcher might throw over 100 pitches in a single game. The pitcher is often considered the most important defensive player on a baseball team.