first base

noun

1

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

a runner on first base

2

: the player position for defending the area around first base

hit a ground ball to first base

3

: the first step or stage in a course of action

Plans never got to first base.

4

slang : amorous light touching or kissing

Unless the game has changed since I was a girl, first base was kissing …

—Abigail Van Buren

—usually used in phrases like get to first base or reach first base

"It's true!" Pamela said. "If they talk about getting to first base, it means they held hands with their girl. …"

—Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

compare home base sense 3, second base sense 3, third base sense 3

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

In the third inning, and again in the fifth inning, Tommy Edman comes to bat with Miguel Rojas on first base, none out, and the Dodgers trailing, 1-0. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

The Astros are retaining pitching coach Josh Miller, first base coach Dave Clark, major league field coordinator Jason Bell, hitting coach Victor Rodriguez and longtime bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

The Rays challenged the calls at both first and second and Mesa was ruled safe when a video review overturned the out decision by first base umpire Mark Ripperger. — Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

But Goldschmidt, still looking for a championship, was one of three Yankees who were restricted to first base or DH this year, joining García and Ben Rice. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 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