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

Will Gerrit Cole forget to cover first base again?

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

Roberts plans to use Rushing at first base if Freddie Freeman comes out of the game or needs a day off.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026

Not everyone is born on first base with the advantages of someone with family wealth and/or the means to pursue education and a high-paying career.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 18, 2025

The first base edit disabled the T-cells' targeting mechanism so they could not attack the patient's body.

From BBC • Dec. 8, 2025

Herbie Goldfarb served up a home run, a deep fly out, a triple, and then Harlan Betchel laid a nice bunt down along the first base line.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols