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

As a varsity starter at first base, Aubrey embodies the spirit of a true student-athlete. —Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2026

Devers, who is hitless in eight at-bats this spring, was originally slated to hit second and play first base but felt discomfort while fielding grounders before the game. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026

Castellanos, who could platoon with Gavin Sheets during the season, made his second Cactus League start at first base on Tuesday afternoon and had two hits. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026

Offseason addition Munetaka Murakami is expected to spend most of his time at first base, with Miguel Vargas at third base. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 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