mitt

Mitt is a common shorthand for mitten and is used to refer to several types of gloves. In everyday usage, a mitten is a hand covering with a separate pocket for the thumb and one shared pocket for the four fingers. The term mitt is also used for specific glove types such as a baseball mitt and an oven mitt.

Baseball mitts are large leather gloves designed to catch and field balls. They have a deep pocket and varying webbing between the thumb and finger area. Different positions use different mitts, including catcher’s mitts, first baseman’s mitts, and fielders’ mitts. Players wear them on the non-dominant hand, with size and padding adapted to position and player preference.

Oven mitts and kitchen mitts are heat-resistant gloves used to handle hot cookware. They range from quilted cotton and silicone to leather with insulating lining. Some are mitt-style (one pocket for four fingers and a separate pocket for the thumb); others are fingered gloves for greater dexterity. They may include features such as heat resistance ratings and loops for hanging.

Care and durability vary by material: leather mitts require conditioning, while fabric oven mitts may be machine washable. Baseball mitts are often treated to preserve leather and grip. Mitts are common personal protective gear in sports and cooking, as well as everyday wear.