: preceding all others in time, order, or importance: such as
a
: earliest
She won first prize.
his first girlfriend
b
: being the lowest forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle
couldn't get the car out of first gear
c
: having the highest or most prominent part among a group of similar voices or instruments
first violins
1
a
: before another in time, space, or importance
b
: in the first place
—often used with of all
c
: for the first time
2
: in preference to something else : sooner entry 2
1
: one that is number one in a series see Table of Numbers
2
: something that is first: such as
a
: the first occurrence or item of a kind
b
: the first forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle
c
: the highest or chief voice or instrument of a group
d
: an article of commerce of the finest grade
e
: the winning or highest place in a competition, examination, or contest
3
Synonyms
Examples of first in a Sentence
Adjective
We sat in the first row.
She succeeded on her first attempt.
I still remember the first time I saw her.
Adverb
I have to pay him first.
These problems are not as simple as they first appear.
I loved her when I first saw her.
This word was first recorded in the 19th century.
We'll get started soon, but first we have to make sure everyone is here.
Noun
Her solo flight across the Atlantic was a remarkable first.
They were responsible for several engineering firsts.
I couldn't get the car out of first.
take a first in English
Recent Examples on the Web
Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2024
Boise State football coach Spencer Danielson got a good look at new quarterback Malachi Nelson Saturday in the Broncos’ first scrimmage of spring camp, which was closed to fans and the media.
—Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 7 Apr. 2024
Ballerini wrote the song alongside Lance Carpenter, Josh Kerr and Forrest Glen Whitehead, and after Ballerini released it as her debut single in 2014, the song became her first No. 1 Country Airplay hit.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 6 Apr. 2024
However, afterward, some feel that makes your first few cups of coffee taste and smell bad.
—USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
With its passing, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to make euthanasia legal, per BBC News.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
The Warriors have won two of the first three, and the loss came by one point in double overtime on Jan. 27.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
His vegetarian daughter once took him to a vegan restaurant where Joo tried soy meat for the first time.
—Min Joo Kim, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
That puts it a few days behind the film’s first commercial outings on April 25 and 26 in Europe and other parts of Asia, but a week ahead of its May 3 release in North America.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 26 Mar. 2024
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
First things first, Weilerstein is a gripping performer to watch and a masterful interpreter of Bach, displaying an alluringly personal and effortlessly expressive engagement with the suites.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
The eclipse will first appear over the South Pacific Ocean and begin its journey across North America.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
García agrees, yet tempers any talk of future seasons, encouraging viewers to fully savor the episodes at hand first.
—Holly Jones, Variety, 7 Apr. 2024
As first reported by Forbes, Irwin's findings show hundreds of towns and cities across Mexico, North America, and Canada have lost their solar eclipse.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 7 Apr. 2024
This puts the onus on work itself, on economic development and job creation, which has been the focus of the current government since first coming to power at the turn of the century.
—Jonathan M. Hansen, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024
This relationship was first established in 2016 and will continue at the HELIX, our new research facility in downtown New Brunswick.
—Brie Stimson, Fox News, 7 Apr. 2024
The Global Markets Program, which first launched in 2022, gives NFL teams international marketing rights to build brand awareness and fandom beyond the U.S., through fan engagement, events and commercial opportunities, consistent with their home markets.
—Daniel Oyefusi, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024
Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
Where to Watch the Games In one of many firsts, the opening ceremony on July 26 will unfold not in a stadium, but in the heart of the city itself as 160 boats filled with athletes parade along the Seine to the Trocadéro, converting the river into the main stage.
—Lane Nieset, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
In a historic first since the end of the Cold War, Berlin will meet the 2% target this year for the first time.
—Reuters, NBC News, 14 Feb. 2024
The 2021 title with the Braves not only came with the magic of being his elusive first but also was magnified by being a Georgia native.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2024
SpaceX still needs to pull off a series of formidable rocketry firsts before Starship is ready to head to the moon and beyond.
—Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024
Each year’s Academy Award nominations arrive with an array of notable firsts and other cool factoids that speed the hearts of Oscar lovers and movie trivia fans everywhere.
—Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2024
This machine debuted a number of technical firsts for Yamaha—the first ride-by-wire throttle in Yamaha’s Chip Controlled Throttle (YCCT), variable inlet tracts, titanium inlet and exhaust valves and an ear-splitting 18,000 rpm redline.
—Peter Jackson, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024
The Commodores beat the Razorbacks 85-82 to mark two firsts.
—Bob Holt, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Lionel Messi, playing his first game in nearly a month, showed no signs of rust, scoring an equalizing goal for Inter Miami 13 minutes after entering the game in the second half against the Colorado Rapids Saturday night.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2024
Boise State football coach Spencer Danielson got a good look at new quarterback Malachi Nelson Saturday in the Broncos’ first scrimmage of spring camp, which was closed to fans and the media.
—Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 7 Apr. 2024
Ballerini wrote the song alongside Lance Carpenter, Josh Kerr and Forrest Glen Whitehead, and after Ballerini released it as her debut single in 2014, the song became her first No. 1 Country Airplay hit.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 6 Apr. 2024
However, afterward, some feel that makes your first few cups of coffee taste and smell bad.
—USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
With its passing, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to make euthanasia legal, per BBC News.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
The Warriors have won two of the first three, and the loss came by one point in double overtime on Jan. 27.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
His vegetarian daughter once took him to a vegan restaurant where Joo tried soy meat for the first time.
—Min Joo Kim, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
That puts it a few days behind the film’s first commercial outings on April 25 and 26 in Europe and other parts of Asia, but a week ahead of its May 3 release in North America.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 26 Mar. 2024
Adverb
Joel first performed there in 1978, a year after The Police band was formed.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
First things first, Weilerstein is a gripping performer to watch and a masterful interpreter of Bach, displaying an alluringly personal and effortlessly expressive engagement with the suites.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
The eclipse will first appear over the South Pacific Ocean and begin its journey across North America.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
García agrees, yet tempers any talk of future seasons, encouraging viewers to fully savor the episodes at hand first.
—Holly Jones, Variety, 7 Apr. 2024
As first reported by Forbes, Irwin's findings show hundreds of towns and cities across Mexico, North America, and Canada have lost their solar eclipse.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 7 Apr. 2024
This puts the onus on work itself, on economic development and job creation, which has been the focus of the current government since first coming to power at the turn of the century.
—Jonathan M. Hansen, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024
This relationship was first established in 2016 and will continue at the HELIX, our new research facility in downtown New Brunswick.
—Brie Stimson, Fox News, 7 Apr. 2024
The Global Markets Program, which first launched in 2022, gives NFL teams international marketing rights to build brand awareness and fandom beyond the U.S., through fan engagement, events and commercial opportunities, consistent with their home markets.
—Daniel Oyefusi, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024
Noun
Maluma is soaking up the precious firsts with his baby girl.
—Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024
Where to Watch the Games In one of many firsts, the opening ceremony on July 26 will unfold not in a stadium, but in the heart of the city itself as 160 boats filled with athletes parade along the Seine to the Trocadéro, converting the river into the main stage.
—Lane Nieset, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
In a historic first since the end of the Cold War, Berlin will meet the 2% target this year for the first time.
—Reuters, NBC News, 14 Feb. 2024
The 2021 title with the Braves not only came with the magic of being his elusive first but also was magnified by being a Georgia native.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2024
SpaceX still needs to pull off a series of formidable rocketry firsts before Starship is ready to head to the moon and beyond.
—Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024
Each year’s Academy Award nominations arrive with an array of notable firsts and other cool factoids that speed the hearts of Oscar lovers and movie trivia fans everywhere.
—Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2024
This machine debuted a number of technical firsts for Yamaha—the first ride-by-wire throttle in Yamaha’s Chip Controlled Throttle (YCCT), variable inlet tracts, titanium inlet and exhaust valves and an ear-splitting 18,000 rpm redline.
—Peter Jackson, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024
The Commodores beat the Razorbacks 85-82 to mark two firsts.
—Bob Holt, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'first.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to first
Dictionary Entries Near first
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
first
2 of 3 adverb1
a
: before any other in time, space, or importance
b
: for the first time
2
: rather than something else
surrender? We will die first
first
3 of 3 noun1
: one that is number one in a series see number
2
a
: the first forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle
b
: the winning place in a competition or contest
3
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