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

Examples of first-line in a Sentence

surgery is usually not considered a first-line treatment for this type of cancer
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And they are never used as a first-line therapy, only as a last resort. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025 Sales of Abrysvo, the company’s RSV vaccine, surged 155% on uptake among adults and pregnant women, while cancer therapies such as Lorbrena saw a 48% rise in sales on stronger first-line use. John Buckingham, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Overall, SSRIs are effective, widely used, and considered a first-line treatment for many mood and anxiety disorders when managed carefully by a doctor. Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025 This slows down the progression of kidney disease and is typically used as a first-line treatment. David Hampton, Verywell Health, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for first-line

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

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

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Cite this Entry

“First-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first-line. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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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