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 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 Lavigne still has a lot to prove, both at first base and in the box, but showed some power with 17 homers for Double-A Hartford in 2023 and likely has another season of development ahead of him with Triple-A Albuquerque. Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2024 Moving to first base regularly would decrease the value Bellinger carries in center field. Phil Rogers, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Pitchers worked on multiple drills, including covering first base and long-toss throwing. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 15 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 19 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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