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

Etymology

Origin of first base

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

first base

Kelly picked off Edman at first base, but Hunter Feduccia followed with a single of his own, the catcher’s first hit since rejoining the Dodgers at the trade deadline.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026

Arraez came up as a second baseman, but over time, his poor performance there shifted him over to the less-demanding first base position.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

Third baseman Max Muncy exited in the fifth inning after a collision at first base, and Santiago Espinal replaced him.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026

The first-base umpire ruled the Giants had completed the double play anyway, since Adames’ throw beat Kim to first base.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2026

Word was that the man sitting by first base was a scout for St. Louis, out to scout a pitcher.

From "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson