first law
noun
: the most important principle
He teaches his students that balance is the first law of architecture.
Examples of first law in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The first witness called to take the stand was Nicholas LeFleur, the first law enforcement officer to arrive at the ranch after the shooting.
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Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 10 July 2024
In 1975, Congress passed the first law that guaranteed disabled children a right to get an education.
—Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 20 June 2024
This observation broke the the first law of thermodynamics, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed.
—Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 15 June 2022
By July 1967, the Knesset passed the first law applying the Israeli criminal code to its citizens in the West Bank—a first step toward bringing Israelis in the area under the jurisdiction of normal Israeli civilian law, even as Palestinians were subject to Israeli military law.
—Dahlia Scheindlin, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2023
See all Example Sentences for first law 
Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 10 July 2024
In 1975, Congress passed the first law that guaranteed disabled children a right to get an education.
—Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 20 June 2024
This observation broke the the first law of thermodynamics, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed.
—Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 15 June 2022
By July 1967, the Knesset passed the first law applying the Israeli criminal code to its citizens in the West Bank—a first step toward bringing Israelis in the area under the jurisdiction of normal Israeli civilian law, even as Palestinians were subject to Israeli military law.
—Dahlia Scheindlin, Foreign Affairs, 9 June 2023
See all Example Sentences for first law
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'first law.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“First law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20law. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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