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 Takamura scored on an errant pickoff throw at first base and Madonna came home on a sacrifice fly to right hit by Truman Beaudoin. Glenn Reeves, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 Mark Reynolds Power-hitter Mark Reynolds played third base and first base for the Orioles in 2011 and 2012. Paul McCardell, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2024 Having solved first base for the time being, Milwaukee now will likely turn its sights to further addressing its glaring need for production at third base. Todd Rosiak, Journal Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2024 The only obvious spot for a platoon is a LaMonte Wade and Wilmer Flores duo at first base. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024 The situation at first base — Bellinger made 44 starts there last year — is at least somewhat fluid, with newcomer Michael Busch the Opening Day frontrunner and non-roster free agent Dominic Smith and prospect Matt Mervis in the wings. Phil Rogers, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Although his career in the batter’s box has been a roller coaster, Bellinger has consistently been an elite defensive player in center field and at first base, enhancing his value. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024 The rest of the infield for the main has been as expected: Josh Bell and Trey Mancini at first base, Arraez at second, Berti at shortstop and Burger at third. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2024 With no one in the Cardinals' system ready to take over the first base position either, Goldschmidt's journey to 2,000 hits should come to an end this season, barring injury of course. Jon Hoefling, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'first base.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near first base

Cite this Entry

“First base.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20base. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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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