First World

American  

noun

1. the major industrialized non-Communist nations, including those in Western Europe, the United States, Canada, and Japan.

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Etymology

Origin of First World

First recorded in 1970–75

Compare meaning

How does first-world compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• First World vs. Third World

Example Sentences

He made his Japan debut in 1990 but was famously left out of the squad for their first World Cup finals appearance in 1998, despite scoring 55 goals in 89 games for the national side.

From Barron's

Lim, who thew the first world championship nine-darter at the BDO event at Lakeside in 1990, beat Humphries when the pair last met at the Ally Pally five years ago.

From BBC

"It's a bit of a disappointment for those who, for the last three-and-a-half years, have been trying to put some money away in the hope that they can have their first World Cup experience," he said.

From BBC

Oh, and she is the first World Cup winner with titanium implants in her right knee.

From Los Angeles Times

A bow-tie wearing gent with a shock of blond hair, Hawthorn became Britain's first world champion eight years into Formula 1's existence.

From BBC