second base

Meanings

1. 1noununcountablesport

   The second of the four bases a runner must touch in baseball, located across the diamond from home plate.

   Grammar: Used without an article after to: he ran to second base.

   Patterns

   • steal second base
   • reach second base

   She slid safely into second base.

   The runner stole second base on the next pitch.

   He plays second base for the local team.

2. 2noununcountablesport

   The fielding position near the second base, or the player who has it.

   Grammar: Often shortened to second: he plays second.

   Patterns

   • play second base

   Our coach moved me to second base.

   The second base made a quick throw.

   Who is playing second base today?

3. 3noununcountableinformaleuphemisticAmerican

   In American slang, a stage of physical intimacy beyond kissing.

   Grammar: A vague euphemism used in jokes among friends.

   Patterns

   • get to second base

   The movie joked about getting to second base on a first date.

   Teens in the show gossip about who reached second base.

   Using the phrase second base in class made students giggle.

Common combinations

steal second base

He stole second base while the pitcher looked away.

slide into second base

She slid into second base just before the tag.

reach second base

The runner reached second base on a double.

play second base

My brother plays second base.

get to second base

The joke was about getting to second base.

Synonyms and how they differ

second

Second is the short form used by commentators for the same base or position.

keystone

Keystone refers to the second base area or the position in baseball slang.

middle infield

Middle infield includes second base and shortstop together, so it is broader.

Word family

first base noun

the first stop for a runner

third base noun

the third stop for a runner

home base noun

home plate, the final base

baseman noun

a player at a base

Commonly confused: second base or second place?

Practice

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