firstborn

adjective

first·​born ˈfərs(t)-ˈbȯrn How to pronounce firstborn (audio)
: first brought forth : eldest
firstborn noun

Examples of firstborn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The tour’s timing is auspicious, coming just over a year after the sudden, tragic death of Jo Mersa Marley, Stephen’s firstborn son. Reshma B, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2024 Charles and Constantine enjoyed a close relationship, with the British royal even naming his cousin as godfather to his firstborn son, William. Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024 The elder Walsh famously kicked off a crimefighting career after losing his firstborn son Adam to a horrific abduction and murder in 1981. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 26 Feb. 2024 Their firstborn son, Owen, helped Sweet's father walk her down the aisle. Jacklyn Krol, Peoplemag, 18 Feb. 2024 Davis, a family physician who now serves the University of Maryland, Baltimore as its inaugural associate vice president for community health, had experienced a relatively uneventful pregnancy before delivering her firstborn child. Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 24 Jan. 2024 Immigrating to Greece, the parents left their firstborn son, Francis, with his grandparents. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024 The firstborn son of a family of affluent Orthodox Jewish merchants who owned a chain of five furniture, white goods and music stores throughout the region, Epstein had been expelled from or dropped out of eight private schools before ending his formal education. Glenn Frankel, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2024 The True Detective: Night Country actress welcomed her firstborn, Charles Bernard, in 1998. Katie Mannion, Peoplemag, 17 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'firstborn.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of firstborn was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near firstborn

Cite this Entry

“Firstborn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firstborn. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

firstborn

adjective
first·​born ˈfərs(t)-ˈbȯ(ə)rn How to pronounce firstborn (audio)
: born first : eldest
firstborn noun

More from Merriam-Webster on firstborn

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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