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• first class
  first class

  noun

  the best, finest, or highest class, grade, or rank.
• first-class
  first-class

  adjective

  of the highest or best class or quality.

first class

¹ American  

noun

• first classes
  plural

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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• first classes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of first class¹

First recorded in 1740–50

Origin of first-class²

First recorded in 1780–90

Explanation

If something is first-class, it's the very best. First-class seats on an airplane are the roomiest and most comfortable—and the most expensive. This adjective is perfect for describing the highest-quality version of something, from first-class stamps that get your letter to its destination faster to a first-class detective who relentlessly follows every single clue until the mystery is solved. First-class orchestras are highly accomplished, and a first-class moving company is unlikely to break your dishes while transporting them to your new house.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

first class first-class

With airlines bringing the no-frills fares to business and first class, it’s easy to overlook continuing changes in the cabin that started this madness: economy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

It has been six years since the institution last met its letter delivery targets for second class post and ten years since it last met its letter delivery targets for first class post.

From BBC ● May 29, 2026

“I will say the dog flew first class and I was back in steerage, but that’s fine. I’m not bitter about that at all.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026

I launched the first class in 2012 not knowing if I’d ever get to do it again.

From Slate ● May 27, 2026

Phoebe had headed down to the first class baggage hold.

From "I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912" by Lauren Tarshis

“Right away we were treated really first-class, man. First-class,” bassist Bakithi Kumalo recalls.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

He has still only played four first-class matches for the Red Rose county - the most recent in 2024.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

During his stint at Nottinghamshire in 1968, Sobers became the first player to hit a six off all six balls in an over in a first-class match.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

So now might be a good time to stock up on first-class “forever” stamps before prices go up.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 8, 2026

The first-class citizenry comprises the chief, who has authority over the whole village, his aides, and the Khmer Rouge soldiers.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung