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.
Senga, who missed the entirety of the 2024 season outside of a few innings with a shoulder injury and a calf strain, was on track for another All-Star appearance before he was injured trying to cover first base. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 11 July 2025 When Freddie Freeman grounded out to first base, both runners advanced. Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 9 July 2025 After joining the Giants, Devers voiced clear openness to moving to first base for the first time in his career and immediately began working out at the position, suggesting those issues were behind him. Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025 In the eighth inning, with the game tied at 1 and Kyle Schwarber on first base, Harper took the first two pitches — both out of the zone — that Phil Cuzzi called strikes. Matt Gelb, New York Times, 8 July 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 15 Jul. 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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