third base

American  

noun

Baseball.

third bases plural

1. the third in counterclockwise order of the bases from home plate.

2. the playing position of the fielder covering the area of the infield near this base.

---

Usage

What else does third base mean? Content warning: the following content includes references to sexual activity. The expression (getting or going to) third base is slang for sexual contact with genitals, especially when it happens for the first time between two people. The expression (being) born on third base refers to having advantages in life by virtue of being born into wealth and other privileges. How is third base pronounced?[ thurd beys ]What are some other words related to third base?first basesecond basehome runwhite privilege

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• third bases
  plural

Etymology

Origin of third base

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

third base

I had a pretty good arm from playing third base as a kid.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel’s philosophy when it came to his baseball-obsessed sons was straightforward: the major-league players they grew up around were their coaches.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

Though Muncy is in his 11th major-league season, and has played all around the infield for most of it, 2022 marked his first season making the majority of his appearances at third base.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026

Shohei Ohtani leads at designated hitter, Freddie Freeman at first base, Max Muncy at third base, and Andy Pages in the outfield.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026

She walked slowly behind the plate, with her hands in the pockets of her beaver coat, and finally sat down on a misplaced players’ bench just beyond third base.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger

Related Words

• third