first among equals

: preceding all others in time, order, or importance: such as

: earliest

: being the lowest forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle

: before another in time, space, or importance

: in the first place

: for the first time

: one that is number one in a series — see Table of Numbers

: something that is first: such as

: the first occurrence or item of a kind

: in or through the midst of : surrounded by

: in company or association with

: by or through the aggregate of

: of the same measure, quantity, amount, or number as another

: identical in mathematical value or logical denotation : equivalent

: like in quality, nature, or status

: one that is equal

: an equal quantity

: to be equal to

: equalize

: to make or produce something equal to