first-year

noun

ˈfərst-ˌyir 

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

Examples of first-year in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Notably, that number is above the first-year value of the Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, meaning the Pacers are likely using the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception to bring in Oubre. — Tony East, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Opting out of a contract, and signing a long-term contract with Miami at a lower first-year salary, remains an option for Wiggins. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 June 2026

As the first-year Islanders closed one of the worst seasons in NHL history, defenseman Jean Potvin came via trade from Philadlephia. — David J. Neal, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2026

Bill negotiation services cost 35% to 60% of the first-year savings, if the negotiation is successful. — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1986, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for first-year

• atmosphere
• biosphere
• centromere
• chemosphere
• chromosphere
• hemisphere
• hydrosphere
• lithosphere
• mesosphere
• microsphere
• miserere
• mountaineer