first edition

noun

: the copies of a literary work first printed from the same type and issued at the same time
also : a single copy from a first edition

Examples of first edition in a Sentence

There were many errors in the book's first edition. She owns a valuable first edition of Huckleberry Finn.
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.
Additionally, this year’s Biennale will feature the lowest number of participating artists and groups since the first edition of the event, which took place in 1995. News Desk, Artforum, 10 June 2026 Although oral-history books focused on pop culture are fairly common today, the format was revolutionary in 1996, when the first edition of Please Kill Me was published. Juliet Izon, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026 From the moment Lawrence had the first edition privately printed in Italy, American and British authorities confiscated copies that had been smuggled across their borders and secretly read the novel for pleasure. The Week Us, TheWeek, 3 June 2026 At Cannes, Mediawan and BYD hosted the first edition of their Build Your Dream Award with a prestigious jury chaired by Chinese filmmaker Chen Kaige and composed of Mélanie Laurent, Hafsia Herzi, Yann Demange. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for first edition

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of first edition was in 1542

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Cite this Entry

“First edition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20edition. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

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