first base

noun

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Examples: first base in a Sentence

Definition of first base

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

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first baseman

play \-ˈbā-smən\ noun

See first base defined for English-language learners

See first base defined for kids

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 of first base from the Web

But Miller was moved to second base in 2017 and was playing mostly at first base this season before the trade.

— tom haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Haudricourt: Brewers have few options as they wait for Orlando Arcia to get going at plate," 15 June 2018
In the fourth inning, Hamilton couldn't make a diving catch on a line drive from Matt Carpenter, but sprinted to the ball and tossed out Carlos Martinez, who was trying to score from first base.

— scott winfield, Cincinnati.com, "ICYMI: König now leads FC Cincinnati and the Reds finally beat the St. Louis Cardinals," 11 June 2018
Brady had replaced Mason Cerrillo, who left the game after injuring his hand while sliding back to first base on a pickoff throw in the seventh.

— joseph d’hippolito, The Seattle Times, "Omaha bound: Washington earns first trip to College World Series," 11 June 2018
Maddon considered resting first baseman Anthony Rizzo and starting Ben Zobrist at first base in Sunday’s finale before Saturday’s marathon.

— mark gonzales, chicagotribune.com, "Cubs' 14-inning win spared Chris Gimenez from making emergency relief appearance," 3 June 2018
Quillen tripled down that right-field line and Millsap scored from first base in the third.

— brian gosset, star-telegram, "Southlake Carroll headed to state tourney again, Dragons have unfinished business," 2 June 2018
His wild throw to first base in the bottom of the third put runners on the corners with no one out.

— james wagner, New York Times, "Mistakes and Injuries Continue to Haunt the Mets," 27 May 2018
Machado threw a changeup just off Davis' glove at first base on a ground ball by right fielder Stephen Piscotty for his fifth error of the season.

— jon meoli, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles remain winless on West Coast trip with 6-4 loss to Athletics," 5 May 2018
Ureña served up a leadoff home run to Cesar Hernandez in the first inning and then airmailed an easy throw to first base in the second to gift a pair of runs to Philadelphia.

— matthew defranks, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Uneven beginning buries Marlins as win streak is snapped in shutout," 3 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'first base.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of first base

1848

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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FIRST BASE Defined for English Language Learners

first base

noun

Definition of first base for English Language Learners

baseball : the base that must be touched first by a base runner; also : the position of the player who defends the area around first base

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first base

Definition of first base

first baseman

Examples of first base in a Sentence

Recent Examples of first base from the Web

First Known Use of first base

FIRST BASE Defined for English Language Learners

first base

Definition of first base for English Language Learners

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first base

Definition of first base

first baseman

Examples of first base in a Sentence

Recent Examples of first base from the Web

First Known Use of first base

FIRST BASE Defined for English Language Learners

first base

Definition of first base for English Language Learners

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