first-year
noun
variants
or first year
plural first-years or first years
: a student in the first year (as at a high school or college) : a first-year student
Experts say fledgling first-years can expect to experience the thrill of autonomy, of being in the driver's seat for what may be the first time ever.—
Jan McCoy Ebbets
Jan McCoy EbbetsExamples of first-year in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Miami Dolphins wrapped up the offseason program this week and are inching closer to the start of the 2026 season, where the franchise will be unveiling a new offensive scheme that’s led by a first-year starting quarterback and a new defense that features four returning starters.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
This was unquestionably a successful season for the Eagles, including for Letestu as a first-year head coach.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 11 June 2026
Geiser said that the high school GPA outperforms the SAT in predicting first-year student success once income and race are controlled.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
This trend of inadequate math preparation among first-year university students, UC faculty said in their letter, results in instructors having to reteach middle school math while the level of course content drops below what’s needed for advanced STEM work.
—Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026
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Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
This was unquestionably a successful season for the Eagles, including for Letestu as a first-year head coach.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 11 June 2026
Geiser said that the high school GPA outperforms the SAT in predicting first-year student success once income and race are controlled.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
This trend of inadequate math preparation among first-year university students, UC faculty said in their letter, results in instructors having to reteach middle school math while the level of course content drops below what’s needed for advanced STEM work.
—Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for first-year
Cite this Entry
“First-year.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first-year. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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