third base

American  

noun

Baseball.

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.

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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

He played second base, third base and shortstop as a junior on varsity.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

And as he reached third base, he stopped to salute his teammates and pointed at the Stars and Stripes on his uniform sleeve.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 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

Related Words

• third