first light
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of first light
First recorded in 1945–50
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.
The first light also sets an internal timer for melatonin to be produced again 14 hours later.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 11, 2026
Shortly after picking up our dinner at Joan’s on Third, my friend started asking Lynda questions, first light questions like “Where are you from?” and “What do you do?”
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 12, 2025
The Alpine rescue service said that due to fog and low visibility, helicopters could not take off at first light on Sunday.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2025
As far as the science images goes, I thought the first light image which we have in detail that has never been published before is in there.
From Salon ● Oct. 8, 2024
When I woke at first light, Amil slept soundly in his bed next to mine.
From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
