eldest

[ el-dist ]

adjective

1. oldest; firstborn; of greatest age: eldest sister;

   eldest brother;

   eldest sister;

   eldest born.

eldest

/ ˈɛldɪst /

adjective

1. being the oldest, esp the oldest surviving child of the same parents

Word History and Origins

Origin of eldest¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English eldesta, superlative of eald, ald; old

Word History and Origins

Origin of eldest¹

Old English eldesta, superlative of eald old

Example Sentences

“I thought about throwing myself down a flight of stairs or have my eldest daughter pounce on top of me,” she said.

From The Daily Beast

The film traces the legacy of the Abiola family, particularly Hafsat Abiola, the eldest daughter of Kudirat and MKO.

From The Daily Beast

As the eldest sister she has played a huge role raising the other girls and her 12-year-old brother.

From The Daily Beast

His father turned to the person he trusted most: his eldest son.

From The Daily Beast

Her eldest son, an 18-year-old, is being held separately as an adult in a detention center.

From The Daily Beast

Her eldest daughter married in America, and was well known as a modeller in wax in New York.

From Project Gutenberg

She is very highly educated, and is preparing her eldest son for the university herself.

From Project Gutenberg

The fourth Robert de Brus of Annandale, eldest son of the preceding lord, was born in 1210.

From Project Gutenberg

But no, it didn't matter about the eldest son—never mind about him; put him in the City, anywhere as long as he's out of the way.

From Project Gutenberg

Scott's tomb, that of his wife and their eldest son are in one of the chapels whose vaulted roof still remains in position.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• earlier