first-line
adjective
: 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
They are considered the first-line medications for treating depression in pregnancy, with approximately 5% to 6% of North American women taking an SSRI during pregnancy.
—
Andrew Novick, The Conversation, 31 July 2025
The plaintiffs argue that the policy forced doctors and pharmacists to deny medically necessary care, noting that mifepristone and misoprostol are first-line treatments for miscarriages and postpartum hemorrhage.
—Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Treating mild or moderately high cholesterol with lifestyle changes, like exercise, is completely acceptable and even recommended as the first-line treatment.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 30 July 2025
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is the usual first-line antibiotic for cyclospora.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for first-line
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.
Andrew Novick, The Conversation, 31 July 2025
The plaintiffs argue that the policy forced doctors and pharmacists to deny medically necessary care, noting that mifepristone and misoprostol are first-line treatments for miscarriages and postpartum hemorrhage.
—Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Treating mild or moderately high cholesterol with lifestyle changes, like exercise, is completely acceptable and even recommended as the first-line treatment.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 30 July 2025
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is the usual first-line antibiotic for cyclospora.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for first-line
Cite this Entry
“First-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first-line. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
first-line
adjective
: being the preferred, standard, or first choice
first-line treatment of advanced breast cancer
compare second-line
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share