: 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
Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Feb. 2025
The latter clinched Sky News the first BAFTA award in its history.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2025
Tom Schardin, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
The paper’s findings were first spotted by MIT Technology Review.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 7 Feb. 2025
Simon Perry, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025
The last 12 months have been full of firsts for the De la Rosa brothers, better known as the musical trio Latin Mafia.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for first 
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Adjective
Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey face no shortage of peril in the first trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth.
—Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Feb. 2025
The latter clinched Sky News the first BAFTA award in its history.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2025
Adverb
The Shakopee boys’ South Suburban Conference game will be played first starting at 5:30 p.m., followed by the girls contest at 7:15 p.m.
Both games will be streamed live on Sabers live, which can be found at shakopeesabers.com/live.
—Tom Schardin, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
The paper’s findings were first spotted by MIT Technology Review.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
Returning after their first games in Dusseldorf, Germany in 2023 is a team from Nigeria.
Nigeria, which Harry and wife Meghan Markle visited in May 2024, is starting work on the new Invictus Centre in Abuja, which will be a global first for the foundation.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025
The last 12 months have been full of firsts for the De la Rosa brothers, better known as the musical trio Latin Mafia.
—Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for first
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 11 Feb. 2025.
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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