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
The series, co-created and produced by Menelek Lumumba and Hans Charles, will use firsthand testimony, archive and expert analysis.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
In other cases, immigration agents have photographed activists’ faces with professional-grade cameras, according to videos and firsthand accounts given to NBC News.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
Yes, Salley has some firsthand relationship experience with Craig that Venita didn’t have, but both of their messages boil down to the same thing.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
The Committee was also complemented by General Motors Chair and CEO Mary Barra, who was selected from a group of talented peers and had firsthand experience managing an effective transition.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for firsthand
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Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
In other cases, immigration agents have photographed activists’ faces with professional-grade cameras, according to videos and firsthand accounts given to NBC News.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 6 Feb. 2026
Yes, Salley has some firsthand relationship experience with Craig that Venita didn’t have, but both of their messages boil down to the same thing.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
The Committee was also complemented by General Motors Chair and CEO Mary Barra, who was selected from a group of talented peers and had firsthand experience managing an effective transition.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 4 Feb. 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 14 Feb. 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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