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

But second baseman Alex Freeeland, recalled Wednesday as the corresponding move as Kiké Hernández went on the IL, ranged to his left and dove to first base with the ball, beating Castro to the bag for the second out of the inning. —Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026

The Angels’ only other hit was a ground ball that Donovan Walton hit toward first base. —Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 28 May 2026

The Twins hired Sizemore this offseason to be their first base coach and work with their outfielders. —Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 28 May 2026

Somehow, while moving Gavin Sheets between first base and left field and having NIck Castellanos in right field and making Tatis a second baseman, the Padres have played steadily in the field. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 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