third base

noun

1

: the base that must be touched third by a base runner in baseball

2

: the player position for defending the area around third base

3

slang + impolite : amorous touching or caressing especially of the genitals

—usually used in phrases like get to third base or reach third base

One boy told everyone he got to third base with her when she didn't even know what counted as third base, but unless it was French-kissing, he hadn't.

—Meryl Wilsner

compare first base sense 4, home base sense 3, second base sense 3

third baseman noun

Examples of third base in a Sentence

a runner on third base

Recent Examples on the Web

Mitchell’s blast seemed to knock some of the fight out of the Dodgers, who were able to get the tying run to third base three times in the ensuing innings but couldn’t quite get the big hit needed to even the contest. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Trailing 5-4, the Dodgers had a runner at third base in the sixth, seventh and eighth. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Palacios advanced to third base on Taylor Walls' groundout, and Vogt turned to his closer, Cade Smith, to face Díaz in a crucial spot in the top of the eighth inning. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

And Muncy was named a finalist today at third base for the Gold Glove award. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for third base

• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace
• blackface
• boldface
• bookcase
• braincase
• briefcase
• carcase

Kids Definition

third base

noun

: the base that must be touched third by a base runner in baseball or the position of the player defending the area around it