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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ben Rice typically splits time between first base, catcher, and designated hitter. Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025 Isbel grounded out to first base in the bottom of the second. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025 This team has major needs at first base, two outfield spots and DH. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Sep. 2025 With a three-game series against the surging Diamondbacks in Arizona on the horizon Monday, the Giants are calling up reinforcement to replace some of the left-handed power of Dominic Smith, who sustained a moderate hamstring injury playing first base on Friday. Maria Torres, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for first base

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

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Cite this Entry

“First base.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20base. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

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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