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
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
The Reds are set defensively at the other infield positions — Matt McLain at second base, Elly De La Cruz at shortstop and Ke’Bryan Hayes at third base — leaving first base as the only infield spot.
—
C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Detroit took that one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Javier Baez's diving attempt to save a Jose Ramirez single turned out worse, as his throw to first base went awry and the speedster ended up at third with no one out.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Flores received a rare start at first base against a right-handed starting pitcher and got a standing ovation when Eldridge replaced him at first base to begin the third inning.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
The only regular not in Sunday’s lineup is Luis Arraez, as Jake Cronenworth will serve as the DH, Jose Iglesias will get the start at second base and Ryan O’Hearn will man first base and bat second.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first base
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C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Detroit took that one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Javier Baez's diving attempt to save a Jose Ramirez single turned out worse, as his throw to first base went awry and the speedster ended up at third with no one out.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Flores received a rare start at first base against a right-handed starting pitcher and got a standing ovation when Eldridge replaced him at first base to begin the third inning.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
The only regular not in Sunday’s lineup is Luis Arraez, as Jake Cronenworth will serve as the DH, Jose Iglesias will get the start at second base and Ryan O’Hearn will man first base and bat second.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for first base
Cite this Entry
“First base.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20base. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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