first class

¹ American  

noun

1. the best, finest, or highest class, grade, or rank.

2. the most expensive and most luxurious class of accommodation on trains, ships, airplanes, etc.

3. (in the U.S. Postal Service) the class of mail consisting of letters, postal cards, or the like, together with all mailable matter sealed against inspection.

4. British University. the group receiving the highest distinction in an honors course.

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first-class ² American  

[furst-klas, -klahs] / ˈfɜrstˈklæs, -ˈklɑs /

adjective

1. of the highest or best class or quality.

   a first-class movie.

2. best-equipped and most expensive.

   a first-class railroad car.

3. given or entitled to preferred treatment, handling, etc..

   first-class mail.

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adverb

1. by first-class conveyance.

   to travel first-class.

first class British  

noun

1. the class or grade of the best or highest value, quality, etc

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adjective

1. of the best or highest class or grade

   a first-class citizen

2. excellent; first-rate

3. of or denoting the most comfortable and expensive class of accommodation in a hotel, aircraft, train, etc

4. 1. (in Britain) of or relating to mail that is processed most quickly

   2. (in the US and Canada) of or relating to mail that consists mainly of written letters, cards, etc

5. education See first

adverb

1. by first-class mail, means of transportation, etc

Etymology

Origin of first class¹

First recorded in 1740–50

Origin of first-class¹

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

In first class, passengers were so still, the cabin crew stopped to make sure each was still breathing.

From The Wall Street Journal

American Airlines’ Five Star Service program, meanwhile, is available only to passengers traveling in business or first class.

From The Wall Street Journal

During their first class they chose the legend of Baby Blue — a time-worn grade-school yarn about a ghost named Baby Blue who appears if you say her name three times in a row.

From Los Angeles Times

He went to some of the film festivals and just returned from “Bugonia’s” London premiere, where he signed autographs on the red carpet and enjoyed flying first class.

From Los Angeles Times

The different levels also offer students a lesson in inequality—you can’t buy an economy plane ticket and try to sit in first class, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal