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a person or thing that catches.
Baseball. the player stationed behind home plate, whose chief duty is to catch pitches not hit by the batter.
a member of an aerialist team, as in a circus, who hangs head down from a trapeze and catches another member who has completed a jump or somersault through the air.
Metalworking. a person who feeds metal rods through a looping mill.
Electronics. catcher resonator.
See under Klystron.
Contemporary Examples

For me, reading Middlemarch or Sentimental Education is work, whereas catcher in the Rye was pure pleasure.
Woody Allen’s Favorite Books FiveBooks May 5, 2011

But then, in 1951, A catcher in the Rye was published, and Salinger became a celebrity.
What We Really Know about J.D. Salinger Andrew Romano September 8, 2013

But who has the better advice—Bieber or the iconic Holden Caulfield of The catcher in the Rye?
Justin Bieber or Holden Caulfield? Jaimie Etkin October 12, 2010

Confusion over the catcher’s eye black is just the tip of the iceberg for this befuddled limey.
Viral Video of the Day: Bad British MLB Commentary Alex Chancey, Ben Teitelbaum May 6, 2014

catcher in the Rye has always had special meaning for me because I read it when I was young—18 or so.
Woody Allen’s Favorite Books FiveBooks May 5, 2011

Historical Examples

As a catcher of fish the snake-bird is probably without peer.
Glimpses of Indian Birds Douglas Dewar

“Well, he’ll have a catcher that can hold him this year,” declared the city lad.
Rival Pitchers of Oakdale Morgan Scott

He should also back up third on a throw from the catcher, and to this end must be on the look-out for the catcher’s signal.
Base-Ball John M. Ward

Now their third man struck out and the catcher’s mask was off.
Stanford Stories Charles K. Field

There must be some sort of bacteria in fish which infect the catcher and impel him to expand facts whether he will or not.
Through Arctic Lapland Cutcliffe Hyne

noun
a person or thing that catches, esp in a game or sport
(baseball) a fielder who stands behind home plate and catches pitched balls not hit by the batter
n.

“one who catches,” in any sense, mid-14c., agent noun from catch (v.).