: being the preferred, standard, or first choice
first-line treatment of tuberculosis
compare second-line

Examples of first-line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That includes junior first-line winger Jack Stanius and top-tier defenseman Blake Eckerle. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2024 Companies usually need such a system to operate as a first-line customer support bot for end users. Stoyan Mitov, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Just a week ago, only Brodin and Zuccarello were sidelined from the group that includes two first-line wings, the most experienced pair of blue-liners and their primary netminder. Dave Campbell, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2024 Common antibiotics like gentamicin and fluoroquinolones are first-line treatment for plague, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 13 Feb. 2024 Companies have started trimming back on employee benefits over the past few years as a first-line cost-cutting measure. Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2024 Medications such as prednisone are not used as first-line treatment but they may be prescribed in severe cases of widespread hair loss, as in the case of alopecia totalis or universalis.7 Taking a short course of oral steroids for about six weeks can regrow hair. Heather L. Brannon, Md, Verywell Health, 27 Jan. 2024 Providers first try first-line drugs, which are known to be the most effective (before the development of antimicrobial resistance) and the least toxic. Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 17 Jan. 2024 During such reviews, a first-line supervisor, a lieutenant and a division commander each read the officer’s reports and may watch associated body-camera video. Steve Thompson, Washington Post, 27 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'first-line.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of first-line was in 1919

Dictionary Entries Near first-line

Cite this Entry

“First-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first-line. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

first-line

adjective
: being the preferred, standard, or first choice
first-line treatment of advanced breast cancer
compare second-line
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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