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

The slugger will play first base. —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026

While at Salt Lake City, Kieboom played first base, second base, and third base. —Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

When Kelly covered first base in an attempt to complete a double play, he got annoyed when Brantley’s foot clipped his leg. —Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026

Xander Bogaerts is entrenched at shortstop, but Cronenworth continues to provide the team with versatility as an option who can play either side of second base and handle first base. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 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