: being the preferred, standard, or first choice
first-line treatment of tuberculosis
compare second-line

Examples of first-line in a Sentence

surgery is usually not considered a first-line treatment for this type of cancer
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Miller’s arrival with the Rangers and his installment as the first-line center between Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad added to the buzz that always comes with a B’s-Rangers weekend game at the Garden. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 1 Feb. 2025 Nearly 10% of acute pain patients prescribed an opioid as a first-line treatment will go on to use opioids long-term, and each year, about 85,000 patients will develop opioid use disorder. Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 31 Jan. 2025 An international clinical trial has uncovered three highly effective drug regimens for treating TB resistant to rifampin, the most potent first-line antibiotic used for TB treatment. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 Stimulant medications are considered the first-line treatment for ADHD for some very good reasons. Alison Escalante, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for first-line 

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of first-line was in 1919

Dictionary Entries Near first-line

Cite this Entry

“First-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first-line. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

Medical Definition

first-line

adjective
: being the preferred, standard, or first choice
first-line treatment of advanced breast cancer
compare second-line
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!