1
: being a regular as distinguished from a substitute (as on a team)
2
first-stringer noun

Examples of first-string in a Sentence

a first-string rendition of the musical piece
Recent Examples on the Web Wednesday’s first-string receivers were Samuel and Chris Conley. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2024 As of now, the first-string edge rushers appear to be Jacob Busic and Devin Aupiu, with Drew Tuazama and Grant Buckey backing them up. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2024 Puni has been the first-string right guard since the third practice of camp, after Spencer Burford sustained a fractured right hand that has not required surgery. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2024 Fittingly, Van Roten arrived on a day when Jones and the Giants’ first-string offensive line had a disastrous and discouraging practice, reinforcing the new signing’s need. Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 30 July 2024 George Odum, a special teams ace, has flourished with Brown as a first-string option, while Hufanga works his way off the Physically Unable To Perform list for a potential return next week in joint practices. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 30 July 2024 One, the team is maintaining faith in him while giving him first-string reps at left tackle ahead of teammate Wanya Morris. Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2024 While Hufanga rehabilitated on the side during the offseason program, Brown and George Odum served as the first-string safeties. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 2 July 2024 Sorensen’s first-string defense Wednesday was missing a slew of potential and/or past starters: defensive linemen Bosa, Maliek Collins, Jordan Elliott and Drake Jackson, and linebackers Warner and Dre Greenlaw. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 5 June 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'first-string.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of first-string was in 1892

Dictionary Entries Near first-string

Cite this Entry

“First-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first-string. Accessed 2 Sep. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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