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
In June, the American Academy of Pediatrics updated its guidance to recommend that pediatricians order exome or genome sequencing as the first-line test for patients with global developmental delays or intellectual disabilities.
—
Brad Quick, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Nelson's grandfather, Bill Christian, and great uncle, Roger Christian, were first-line forwards on the 1960 squad that beat the Soviet Union and Canada to take the title in Squaw Valley, California.
—CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Nelson’s grandfather, Bill Christian, and great uncle, Roger Christian, were first-line forwards on the 1960 squad that beat the Soviet Union and Canada to take the title in Squaw Valley, California.
—Dave Campbell, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Britta Curl-Salemme was also moved up to the second line with Minnesota Frost teammate Taylor Heise and Abbey Murphy, while Janecke moved from first-line left wing to fourth-line center.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first-line
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Brad Quick, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Nelson's grandfather, Bill Christian, and great uncle, Roger Christian, were first-line forwards on the 1960 squad that beat the Soviet Union and Canada to take the title in Squaw Valley, California.
—CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Nelson’s grandfather, Bill Christian, and great uncle, Roger Christian, were first-line forwards on the 1960 squad that beat the Soviet Union and Canada to take the title in Squaw Valley, California.
—Dave Campbell, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Britta Curl-Salemme was also moved up to the second line with Minnesota Frost teammate Taylor Heise and Abbey Murphy, while Janecke moved from first-line left wing to fourth-line center.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
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 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
first-line
adjective
: being the preferred, standard, or first choice
first-line treatment of advanced breast cancer
compare second-line
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