first base

American  

noun

• first bases
  plural

1. Baseball.

   1. the first in counterclockwise order of the bases from home plate.

   2. the position of the player covering the area of the infield near first base.

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idioms

1. get to first base,

   1. to succeed in the initial phase of a plan or undertaking.

      His suggestions for labor-saving techniques never got to first base.

   2. to engage in petting that goes no further than kissing.

first base British  

noun

1. baseball

   1. the base that a runner must reach safely to score a hit, and the first of the three bases he must reach safely on the way to home plate in order to score a run

   2. the fielding position nearest this base

2. informal to accomplish the first step of an undertaking

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• first bases
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of first base

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

first base

The Tailgaters have a first base coach who grills hot dogs and hamburgers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

Joey Ortiz then grounded into what would have been a double play, had the Brewers not started Lara from first base.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

In only one of those innings did Atlanta advance a runner beyond first base.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

The next inning, Kyle Tucker hit a two-out single into left, baited Sale into picking over to first base twice, and then stole second.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

From my position on first base, I glanced behind me now and then.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger

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