first base

noun

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.

first base

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of first base¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

He’d have someone roll the football to him as if he were fielding a grounder, then he would flick a throw to first base, keeping a low, almost-sidearmed release.

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As he pulled into first base, he clapped toward the dugout, then slapped his hands against his thighs in an outburst of relief.

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As he lay there, he slapped first base with his bare hand.

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New York Yankees second baseman Chuck Knoblauch famously developed an inability to throw the ball to first base.

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Infielders often look up after catching what they thought was an easy groundout and are surprised to see the Milwaukee runner already closing in on first base, which causes them to rush the throw.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal