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

But after Smith hit a two-out double, leaving first base open, the Diamondbacks surely would have intentionally walked Ohtani if he pinch-hit for Espinal.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

As the crowd showered Vargas with cheers, Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall glanced over at first base.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

Third baseman Ezra Sutton hit a dribbler to pitcher Joe Borden, who threw to first base for the out.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

“When I was on first base, I got to see them all jumping around up there,” Ward said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

We held the bat on our shoulders until we walked to first base.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston