first base

noun

1

: the base that must be touched first by a base runner in baseball

2

: the player position for defending the area around first base

3

: the first step or stage in a course of action

plans never got to first base

first baseman

-ˈbā-smən 

noun

Examples of first base in a Sentence

a runner on first base

She hit a ground ball to first base.

He used to be a catcher, but now he plays first base.

Recent Examples on the Web

From there, Sorrell struck out swinging, followed by Hacopian grounding out to first base, which advanced the runners. —Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026

And any first base playing time would likely require persuading Freddie Freeman to take a day off – not an easy task. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026

Former Royals general manager Allard Baird is Italy’s first base coach, while ex-KC pitchers Ryan Yarbrough, Brad Keller and Gabe Speier pitched for Team USA. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026

Carlos Narvaez is catching and Isiah Kiner-Falefa is starting at first base, his latest audition for the backup role while Romy Gonzalez and Triston Casas are sidelined. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for first base

• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace
• blackface
• boldface
• bookcase
• braincase
• briefcase
• carcase

Kids Definition

first base

noun

: the base that must be touched first by a base runner in baseball

also : the position of the player defending the area around first base