firstborn

American

[furst-bawrn] / ˈfɜrstˈbɔrn /

adjective

first in the order of birth; eldest.

noun

a firstborn child.
a first result or product.

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.

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

From Barron's • Dec. 18, 2025

While I’m happy Ms. Stern brought her firstborn home, many families aren’t as lucky.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 3, 2025

Vaill calls firstborn Angelica an “alpha female” who adored her younger sister but wondered, How’d she get him?

From Slate • Oct. 21, 2025

"I always had this thing that death was on my shoulder, 24/7. My dogs, as a kid. My mum. My firstborn."

From BBC • Sep. 16, 2025

Stunned but still conscious, Eva dragged herself toward her firstborn, but Hannah, her senses lost, went flying out of the yard gesturing and bobbing like a sprung jack-in-the-box.

From "Sula" by Toni Morrison

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023