first-year

noun

variants or first year
plural first-years or first years
: a student in the first year (as at a high school or college) : a first-year student
Experts say fledgling first-years can expect to experience the thrill of autonomy, of being in the driver's seat for what may be the first time ever.Jan McCoy Ebbets

Examples of first-year in a Sentence

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.
Between a disappointing season, trade speculation surrounding key veterans and the arrival of first-year manager Tony Vitello, the organization has repeatedly found itself at the center of national conversations. Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 Bueckers and first-year guard Fudd had tough shooting nights, Bueckers going 5 of 13 for 15 points with eight assists and Fudd 4 of 13 with 10 points. ABC News, 18 June 2026 And according to social-media tracking firm Sprinklr, Widow’s Bay is Apple’s fastest-growing first-year series ever in terms of social engagement across major platforms and podcasts. Josef Adalian, Vulture, 18 June 2026 Sacramento State’s four-year graduation rate — measured as the percentage of students who entered the university as first-years and graduated in four years — has risen from 9% in 2016 to more than 30% at present. Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for first-year

Word History

First Known Use

1986, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of first-year was in 1986

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Cite this Entry

“First-year.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first-year. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.

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