first base

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.

first base

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of first base¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

Snell’s outing was a grind from the start, with Rushing misfiring to first base for an error in the first inning and Betts reacting slowly to a ground ball at shortstop to extend the second.

From Los Angeles Times

But in college at Louisville and in the Cape Cod Summer League, he played more games at first base and in the outfield than behind the plate.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m just trying to play the game hard, take advantage of certain situations,” said Edman, who immediately winced in pain after rounding first base on a single in the fifth inning.

From Los Angeles Times

"We said they would be fighting for the first base on the stage or they will end up doing a complicated dance routine together, showing their friends," said Mrs King.

From BBC

They missed high, wide and, in one of the most confounding plays you’ll see on a major league diamond, even on a relatively routine throw to first base.

From Los Angeles Times