first base

noun

1
: the base that must be touched first by a base runner in baseball
2
: the player position for defending the area around first base
3
: the first step or stage in a course of action
plans never got to first base
first baseman noun

Examples of first base in a Sentence

a runner on first base She hit a ground ball to first base. He used to be a catcher, but now he plays first base.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Mariners have the biggest need at first base, but don’t have the dough, apparently, to address it. Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025 The Astros have acquired Isaac Paredes in a trade to man the hot corner, along with signing Christian Walker to play first base. John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025 Primarily a third baseman for the Yankees, the righty-swinging Berti started three playoff games at first base — despite having never played the position at the MLB level — after Anthony Rizzo suffered two broken fingers in the second-to-last game of the regular season. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2025 He’s played 121 MLB games over two seasons and offers a bit of positional versatility as well, having played a bit in the outfield and at first base. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for first base 

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of first base was in 1848

Dictionary Entries Near first base

Cite this Entry

“First base.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20base. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

first base

noun
: the base that must be touched first by a base runner in baseball
also : the position of the player defending the area around first base

More from Merriam-Webster on first base

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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