first base

noun

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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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 Albert Pujols’ departure from the big-league roster on Thursday did more than simply allow Jared Walsh to move back to first base. — Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, "Griffin Canning’s gem, Shohei Ohtani’s two doubles: 5 takeaways from Angels’ win over Dodgers," 8 May 2021 After being hit, Votto walked to first base, and he wasn't checked on by the training staff on the field. — Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, "Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto leaves game with left thumb injury," 5 May 2021 Louisville's speedy outfielder Levi Usher walked to start the inning and then on a ground ball to first base, beat a throw to second, avoiding any double play hopes. — Cameron Teague Robinson, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville defeats No. 2 Vanderbilt, bouncing back from weekend sweep," 5 May 2021 Throwing to first base is Castro's biggest issue, so the Tigers think moving him to second base will ease the pressure. — Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers get 'very positive' info about Matthew Boyd's knee injury," 30 Apr. 2021 But Urías fielded Chisholm's grounder too casually, allowing the speedy second baseman to easily beat the throw to first base. — Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Brewers 5, Marlins 4: Tyrone Taylor proves to be a great fit in the leadoff spot," 27 Apr. 2021 The exceptional fielder, who made multiple highlight-reel plays earlier in the game, scooped up the ball and tossed a bullet to first base, but the speedy Spillane just beat the throw. — Joe Freeman, oregonlive, "Oregon State baseball loses heartbreaker to UC Irvine on 9th-inning home run," 25 Apr. 2021 Anything less than a home run, and Cruz likely wouldn't have even hobbled halfway to first base before being thrown out. — Megan Ryan, Star Tribune, "Hobbling Nelson Cruz still manages to hit two home runs for the Twins," 21 Apr. 2021 Rachel will move from the outfield to first base this year. — Bob Narang, chicagotribune.com, "Softball preview: Antioch’s wait has ended. For Gabby Debevec, Hailey Webb and other seniors, their pursuit of a state title has not.," 21 Apr. 2021

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.

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Dictionary Entries near first base

first approximation

Statistics for first base

Last Updated

13 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“First base.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20base. Accessed 14 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for first base

first base

noun

English Language Learners Definition of first base

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

See the full definition for first base in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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