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 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pasquantino, 28, experienced a hallmark season at first base and provided production in the middle of the Royals’ order. Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025 Familiar with a position changes, like one Machado someday may face, Pujols was moved from third base to first base after his first minor league season. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2025 The Mets do not have many great options at first base, but David Stearns is not the type to overpay for a player if their long-term outlook isn't great. Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 Mark Hallberg was an asset as the third-base coach in 2023 before Melvin installed Matt Williams at that position and shifted Hallberg across the diamond to first base. Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for first base

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of first base was in 1848

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Cite this Entry

“First base.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20base. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on first base

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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