first world

noun

often capitalized F&W

: the highly developed industrialized nations often considered the westernized countries of the world

Word History

Etymology

after third world

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of first world was in 1967

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“First world.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20world. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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