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
This granular account of the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development, written by a former senior official, draws on internal records and firsthand observations to depict how the government agency was systematically taken apart.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Get a firsthand look at the chocolate-making process at Videri Chocolate Factory.
—Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
Have lunch with Heidi, the director, and members of the cast and crew, hearing firsthand stories about the filmmaking process.
—Lisa Gutierrez
may 15, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026
Harry has personal, firsthand knowledge of the war in Afghanistan, after undertaking two tours of the country during his ten years in the British Army.
—Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for firsthand
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The New Yorker, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Get a firsthand look at the chocolate-making process at Videri Chocolate Factory.
—Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
Have lunch with Heidi, the director, and members of the cast and crew, hearing firsthand stories about the filmmaking process.
—Lisa Gutierrez
may 15, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026
Harry has personal, firsthand knowledge of the war in Afghanistan, after undertaking two tours of the country during his ten years in the British Army.
—Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for firsthand
Cite this Entry
“Firsthand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firsthand. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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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