1
: coming before all others in time, order, or importance
She won first prize.
We sat in the first row.
his first wife
her first book/child
in the first century
his first offense
her first kiss
She succeeded on her first attempt/try.
He was (the) first in line.
We will correct these errors at the first opportunity. [=as soon as it is possible to do so]
English is not my first [=native] language. [=it is not the language I learned first; I learned to speak another language before I learned to speak English]
She's in first grade. [=the first level in school after kindergarten]
I still remember the first time I saw her.
You should leave at the first [=earliest] hint of trouble.
My first [=initial] impulse was to say no.
This is a matter of the first [=highest] importance.
Your first [=main] concern should be to get well.
the captain and the first mate [=the officer on a ship who is most important after the captain]
She was accused of murder in the first degree. [=first-degree murder; the most serious kind of murder]
2
—used to refer to the lowest forward gear or speed of a vehicle
I couldn't get the car out of first gear.
3
: having or playing the main part in a group of instruments
first violin
1
a
: before any other in time, order, or importance
I have to pay him first.
She finished first in the race. = She came in first in the race. = (Brit) She came first in the race.
You go first.
He said it first.
These problems are not as simple as they first appear.
b
: for the first time
I loved her when I first saw her.
We met first at a party. = We first met at a party.
This word was first recorded in the 19th century.
c
: before doing other things
We'll get started soon, but first we have to make sure everyone is here.
2
—used to introduce a statement that is the first in a series of statements
First, let me explain my reasons for calling this meeting.
I want to talk about several things in this meeting. First, the schedule. Second,…
—often used in the phrases first of all and first offLet me explain, first of all, why I called this meeting.
First off, there's some confusion we have to clear up.
plural firsts
1
: something that is first: such as
a
: an occurrence, achievement, etc., that happens or exists before any other of that kind
Her solo flight across the Atlantic was a remarkable first.
They were responsible for several engineering firsts.
b
: the position of the winner in a competition or contest
He took first [=finished in first place] in the pie-eating contest.
c
: the lowest forward gear or speed of a car, truck, etc.
I couldn't get the car out of first.
d
: a degree of the highest level from a British university
take/get a first in English
2
baseball
: first base
a runner on first
Who's playing first?
1
: the first one or ones
They were among the first in line.
It was the first of many delays.
I'll be the first to admit when I've done something wrong.
He was the first to arrive.
She was born on the first of May. [=on May 1]
The son of King Charles the First became King Charles the Second.
2
: the first time
She's not coming? Well, that's the first I've heard of it! [=I did not know that before now]
Cite this Entry
“First.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/first. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.
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