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. get to first base 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, Informal.
   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

When Herbert switched to first base, Oregon coaches also returned to watch him throw in the bullpen.

From Los Angeles Times

In addition to his duties as first base coach, McCullough was the Dodgers’ lead outfield coach and responsible for much of their base-stealing strategy.

From Los Angeles Times

With two outs, Betts hit a soft ground ball up the first base line.

From Los Angeles Times

Cole initially broke toward first base to cover but inexplicably stopped between the mound and the bag, hanging Rizzo out to dry.

From Los Angeles Times

They scored five times in a fifth-inning rally fueled by shockingly poor Yankees defense, including a dropped line drive in center field from Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole’s confounding decision to not cover first base.

From Los Angeles Times