first reading
noun
: the first submitting of a bill before a quorum of a legislative assembly usually by title or number only
Examples of first reading in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As the Register reported, the council approved 3-2 on January 20 the first reading of an ordinance that would require stores to have a staff member for every three self-checkout lanes.
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The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026
Mayor Michael Glotz said because of the opposition, the proposal was only moved past first reading Tuesday instead of being fully approved, in order to give residents multiple chances to comment.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
The policy, introduced as a first reading, outlines how the district provides mental health education, training, and services on campus.
—Nina Burns, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
My first reading of The Blind Owl was a complete disappointment.
—Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 15 Jan. 2026
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The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026
Mayor Michael Glotz said because of the opposition, the proposal was only moved past first reading Tuesday instead of being fully approved, in order to give residents multiple chances to comment.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
The policy, introduced as a first reading, outlines how the district provides mental health education, training, and services on campus.
—Nina Burns, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
My first reading of The Blind Owl was a complete disappointment.
—Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first reading
Cite this Entry
“First reading.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20reading. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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