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

He also was a petty officer first class in the U.S.

From Seattle Times

Name placards are all laid out for Monday’s start of the first class of Washington state’s first regional police training center in Pasco.

From Seattle Times

He always had decent pace but he leads the line so well now, holding the ball up and linking up with others - he has been first class.

From BBC

Leeds was sitting next to Trump in first class when he grabbed her chest and ran his hand up her skirt on a New York City-bound jet.

From Salon

The Washington Post reported that Leeds told jurors Trump groped her and tried to push his hand up her skirt after she was moved to first class on a flight.

From Salon