firsthand
adjective
first·hand
ˈfərst-ˈhand 
: obtained by, coming from, or being direct personal observation or experience
a firsthand account of the war
… had a firsthand view of the turmoil that wracked the region.—
William W. Finan, Jr.
William W. Finan, Jr.
firsthand
adverb
Examples of firsthand in a Sentence
He gave a firsthand account of the battle.
She draws on firsthand experiences for her novel.
Recent Examples on the Web
Is this firsthand, or just something whispered in the break room or at the last company off-site?
—Elizabeth Pearson, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
But Walton’s firsthand experience as a patient set her on this path.
—Alice Park, Time, 21 July 2025
Teachers, libraries and local historians are recognizing the value of firsthand stories, the everyday details that offer a richer understanding of what life once looked like.
—Cheryl Russell, Oc Register, 19 July 2025
The team, all in their early 20s, brings a rare combination of youth, firsthand creator experience, and product intuition.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 19 July 2025
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Elizabeth Pearson, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
But Walton’s firsthand experience as a patient set her on this path.
—Alice Park, Time, 21 July 2025
Teachers, libraries and local historians are recognizing the value of firsthand stories, the everyday details that offer a richer understanding of what life once looked like.
—Cheryl Russell, Oc Register, 19 July 2025
The team, all in their early 20s, brings a rare combination of youth, firsthand creator experience, and product intuition.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for firsthand
Cite this Entry
“Firsthand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firsthand. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
firsthand
adjective
first·hand
ˈfərst-ˈhand
: coming directly from the original source
a firsthand account of the war
firsthand
adverb
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