first base

American  

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.

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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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Etymology

Origin of first base

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

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

Ohtani also stole his first base of the season.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

While it is unclear why Bucknor missed the call at first base, the rash of overturned ball/strike calls is emblematic of the adjustments umpires and players are making to the automated ball/strike challenge system.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

The sun peaked for an inning while Aaron Ashby pitched and, from my position in the first base well, I was able to make a wide frame.

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2025

In the first inning, my neighborhood friend Deshawn, who was playing first base, started trash-talking Randy, a lanky Riverdale kid with a mop haircut, after Randy hit a single.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore