first

1 of 3

adjective

: 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

first

2 of 3

adverb

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

first

3 of 3

noun

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
Phrases
at first
: at the beginning : initially

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
Adjective
Queen Latifah will return to host after emceeing the ceremony for the first time last year. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 This isn’t the first time Rodrigo has been outspoken about women’s rights. Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 The $39 million covers the first year of that $493 million, Hamilton County Administrator Jeff Aluotto said in December. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024 After graduating as valedictorian, in one of his first cases, Marshall sued the University of Maryland. Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 The first panel of the day, titled Entre Dos Aguas (Between Two Waters), will feature Jorge Ferradas of FPM Entertainment, Alex Gallardo of Sony Music US Latin, Walter Kolm of WK Entertainment/WK Records, Rosa Lagarrigue of RLM and Federico Lauria of Dale Play Records. Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 Residente is going on his first tour in over five years. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2024 Gunn posted the first cast photo on Instagram last week following a table read of the script in Atlanta. Katcy Stephan, Variety, 2 Mar. 2024 And returning is the Viv’ Canard shoe with the sweetest kitten heel, complete for the first time with the house’s classic buckle. Allyson Portee, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2024
Adverb
But to be invested in an endless love an audience has to first believe in it. Frank Rizzo, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 But the records from the city, first reported by the Long Beach Business Journal, have offered a glimpse into the significant costs that have come with the city’s effort to keep and preserve the iconic vessel. Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 This story first appeared in the March 14 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024 One of them is the success of Blue Lips, the rapper’s sixth album and first in nearly five years, released earlier this month. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024 If that’s the case, Khan says to floss first and then rinse your mouth with water. Popular Science, 14 Mar. 2024 After giving the challenge their all, Charlie managed to land his final bag first leading to another Siga win and Yanu's third consecutive loss. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2024 He was first elected in July 1989, the very month that hyperinflation peaked at 199 percent per month. Steve H. Hanke, National Review, 14 Mar. 2024 The pair first met through mutual friends and began dating in 2013. Katie Mannion, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024
Noun
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 The holiday for true music lovers allows record stores across the U.S. to buy and sell a mix of exclusive releases and Record Store Day firsts. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2024 Angel Barajas, 42 District 5 Supervisor in Yolo County Background: In a historic first, Barajas became the first child of farmworkers to represent Esparto, Dunnigan, Guinda and other agricultural towns as a supervisor in Yolo County when he was elected in 2021. Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 29 Feb. 2024 This was a different first for me, a chance to express my desire to do something Brazilian. Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 29 Feb. 2024 An expansive analysis of the DNA from ancient remains has revealed cases of Down syndrome from the past — and potentially an archaeological first. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2024 In a cosmic first, scientists have discovered water on the surface of two asteroids. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Feb. 2024 It’s been a winter of firsts for Big Bear bald eagles Jackie and Shadow. Amy Hubbard, Los Angeles Times, 15 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.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Adverb, and Noun

Middle English, from Old English fyrst; akin to Old High German furist first, Old English faran to go — more at fare

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of first was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near first

Cite this Entry

“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

first

1 of 3 adjective
1
: being number one in a series see number
2
: coming before all others in time, order, or importance: as
a
: being the earliest
b
: being the lowest forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle
c
: having or playing the principal part of a group of instruments
first oboe

first

2 of 3 adverb
1
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 noun
1
: 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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