third base
Americannoun
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the third in counterclockwise order of the bases from home plate.
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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
Etymology
Origin of third base
An Americanism dating back to 1835–45
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He’ll start on Saturday at second or third base in a game matching two of the most successful programs in City baseball history.
From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026
Alex Bregman, 31, plays third base for the Chicago Cubs, who signed him in January to a five-year, $175-million contract.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026
A wild pitch from McLean left Venezuela with runners on second and third base and on the next pitch Kansas City Royals slugger Maikel Garcia's sacrifice fly allowed Perez to score.
From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026
In the third, Skenes escaped a jam when U.S. captain Aaron Judge unleashed a 95.7 mile-per-hour dart from right field to cut down Tatis running to third base.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026
“Oh, I know exactly what happened to it. That Jacob Carlyle blew his knee out trying to steal third base during a game a few weeks later. Ended his career.”
From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
