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first-class

adjective
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\ ˈfərs(t)-ˈklas How to pronounce first-class (audio) \

Definition of first-class

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : of or relating to first class
2 : of the highest quality a first-class meal

first class

noun

Definition of first class (Entry 2 of 2)

: the first or highest group in a classification: such as
a : the highest of usually three classes of travel accommodations
b : a class of mail that comprises letters, postcards, or matter sealed against inspection
Other Words from first-class Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about first-class

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Other Words from first-class

Adjective

first-class adverb

Examples of first-class in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun But in 2017, Yeasmin became one of hundreds of Bangladeshi women from the garment industry and other marginalized communities to enroll in the Asian University for Women’s Pathways for Promise program, which graduated its first class this year. — NBC News, "How a program in Bangladesh is preparing garment workers for college," 31 Dec. 2020 That type of success in the first class built from scratch during the Ryan Day era gives the staff two months to get greedy. — Stephen Means, cleveland, "What Raesjon Davis’ decommittment from LSU means for Ohio State football: Buckeyes Recruiting Roundup," 22 Dec. 2020 The original non-passing or incomplete grade from the first class in the sequence becomes a passing grade that doesn’t affect the student’s grade point average. — oregonlive, "More than 1 in 5 Portland high schoolers did not complete at least one course in the fall quarter," 14 Dec. 2020 The proposal from Bender, Fletcher and Cunningham would fund the first class but create a reserve fund for the second and third classes that would require City Council approval before those additional classes could begin. — Liz Navratil, Star Tribune, "Minneapolis council agrees on alternative public safety approach, but cuts to police undecided," 4 Dec. 2020 This senior group was Tharp’s first class of incoming freshmen. — Gary Curreri, sun-sentinel.com, "Palm Beach County football team outlook capsules by district/region," 28 Oct. 2020 But the business-reply mail already is first class. — Annie Lane, oregonlive, "Dear Annie: Reader irked by calls from the car," 10 Oct. 2020 But the business-reply mail already is first class. — cleveland, "Dear Annie: Clearing up a misunderstanding about ballots and the mail," 10 Oct. 2020 Its first class has included 29 players cut in the preseason, and since early October has undergone the kind of intensive work seen in training camps. — Barry Wilner, Star Tribune, "NFL prospects getting second chance through Alumni Academy," 20 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'first-class.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of first-class

Adjective

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1616, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for first-class

Time Traveler

The first known use of first-class was in 1616

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Cite this Entry

“First-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first-class. Accessed 23 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for first-class

first-class

adjective
How to pronounce first class (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of first-class

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: of or relating to first class
: of the best quality : of the highest excellence

first class

noun

English Language Learners Definition of first class (Entry 2 of 2)

: the best of usually three kinds of service you can have when you travel
: a class of mail in the U.S. that includes letters and postcards
: a class of mail in the U.K. that includes letters and packages which are delivered sooner than ordinary second-class mail but cost more to send

See the full definition for first class in the English Language Learners Dictionary

first-class

adjective
\ ˈfərst-ˈklas \

Kids Definition of first-class

1 : relating to the best group in a classification
2 : excellent

More from Merriam-Webster on first-class

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for first-class

Nglish: Translation of first-class for Spanish Speakers

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