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The definition of first is someone or something that happens or acts before any others.

(adjective)

An example of first is a first child, a child born before their siblings.

See first in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

preceding all others in a series; before any other; 1st
happening or acting before all others; earliest
ranking before all others; foremost in rank, quality, importance, etc.; principal
designating the slowest forward gear ratio of a motor vehicle transmission; low ()
Music playing or singing the part highest in pitch or the leading part

Origin: ME < OE fyrst, lit., foremost, superl. of fore, before (see fore), akin to OHG furist, Ger fürst, prince, lit., foremost < IE base *per-, beyond > L prae, before, Gr para, beside, beyond

adverb

1. before any other person or thing; at the beginning
2. before doing anything else
as the first point; to begin with
for the first time
sooner; preferably

noun

the one before the second
any person, thing, class, place, etc. that is first
the first day of a month
the beginning; start
a first happening or thing of its kind
the best quality of merchandise
the winning place in a race or competition
the first () gear of a motor vehicle transmission; low ()
☆ Baseball first base
Music the highest or leading voice or instrument in an ensemble

See first in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The ordinal number matching the number one in a series.
The one coming, occurring, or ranking before or above all others.
The beginning; the outset: from the first; at first.
Music The voice or instrument highest in pitch or carrying the principal part.
The transmission gear or corresponding gear ratio used to produce the range of lowest drive speeds in a motor vehicle.
The winning position in a contest: finished the season in first.
Baseball
a. First base.
b. A first baseman.

adjective

Corresponding in order to the number one.
Coming before all others in order or location: the first house on your left.
Occurring or acting before all others in time; earliest: the first day of spring.
Ranking above all others, as in importance or quality; foremost: was first in the class.
Music Being highest in pitch or carrying the principal part: first trumpet.
Of, relating to, or being the transmission gear or corresponding gear ratio used to produce the range of lowest drive speeds in a motor vehicle.
Of, related to, or being a member of the U.S. president's household: first daughter Amy Carter.

adverb

Before or above all others in time, order, rank, or importance: arrived first; forgot to light the oven first.
For the first time.
Rather; preferably: would die first.
In the first place; to begin with. See Usage Note at firstly.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English fyrst; see per¹ in Indo-European roots

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