third base

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

third baseman

2 of 2

noun (2)

: the baseball player stationed at the third-base position

Examples of third base in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a runner on third base

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ralph cited Jon Heyman of the New York Post, who added that the Mets would like to see Bo Bichette stay at third base, with Sato taking over at first. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

When the Oakland Athletics released Max Muncy before the 2017 season, the then-26-year-old didn’t know if a baseball career was for him anymore, let alone a future at third base. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Then, Francisco Alvarez roped a double to left, tying the game as Baty came across the plate with the winning run moving to third base. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026

García failed to make the scoop — his glove fell off on the play — picked up the loose ball, and then fired to an unoccupied third base. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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