first-year

noun

variants or first year
plural first-years or first years
: a student in the first year (as at a high school or college) : a first-year student
Experts say fledgling first-years can expect to experience the thrill of autonomy, of being in the driver's seat for what may be the first time ever.Jan McCoy Ebbets

Examples of first-year in a Sentence

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.
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Hiller spurned Alabama, Ohio State and Tennessee to join a program in need of talent up front during first-year head coach Jon Sumrall’s rebuild. Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026 In 2025, under first-year coach Michael Earley, the Aggies finished 30-26, and 11-19 in the SEC. Mac Engel april 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026 Potempa has been even better for the defending conference champion Patriots (7-0, 2-0) under first-year coach Brandon Simmons. Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026 His 51 wins are the most ever by a first-year Nuggets coach in the NBA era during a full initial season. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for first-year

Word History

First Known Use

1986, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of first-year was in 1986

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“First-year.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first-year. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

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