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firstborn

American  
[furst-bawrn] / ˈfɜrstˈbɔrn /

adjective

  1. first in the order of birth; eldest.


noun

  • firstborns
    plural
  1. a firstborn child.

  2. a first result or product.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of firstborn

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at first, born


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The track finds mother and daughter writing to each other about their relationship, reconciling the effects Madonna’s fame had on her firstborn child.

From Salon ● Jul. 8, 2026

They moved into their home in 2018, on the same day she lost her firstborn son.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 7, 2026

The album's central theme is the ecstasy and chaos of fatherhood, with Dijon addressing the title track to his firstborn, then imploring his wife to expand the family on the subtly-titled Another Baby!

From BBC ● Dec. 20, 2025

"We came here from Ukraine, and Matilda was our firstborn here in Australia," he said earlier this week.

From Barron's ● Dec. 18, 2025

“Why do you care so much for Hizdahr, old man? If he is not the Harpy, he is the Harpy’s firstborn son.”

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

While not deterministic — elite firstborns like John McEnroe and Novak Djokovic remain towering counter-examples, and both had younger siblings that played professionally — the later-born tilt repeats across the athletic landscape.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

Barely two years in, Maye’s the shiniest star in a merciless sports metropolis—and he’s one Sunday victory from all the local Bradys naming their future firstborns Drake.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 5, 2026

Indeed, firstborns are more likely to be perfectionists than younger siblings.

From Salon ● Apr. 30, 2021

Looking back on this photo of us with our firstborns, it makes me realize how much I took for granted the chance to spend time with friends.

From New York Times ● Apr. 24, 2020

The lineage of Atlas extended in a grand succession of generations, and his kingdom was ruled in succession by the firstborns.

From History of the Incas by Sir Clements R. (Clements Robert) Markham

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