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

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli argued France’s path to first base was obstructed by Santana to no avail. —Dan Hayes, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

Lindor caught it off the bounce and heaved the throw from the edge of the grass across the diamond to Alonso at first base. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2025

Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts throws to first base to complete a double play as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Adam Frazier slides during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, April 27, 2025. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Apr. 2025

Third baseman Max Muncy sailed a ball wide to first base after collecting a ground ball near the foul line, enabling Davis to advance to second. —Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025

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