first night

American  

noun

1. opening night.

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first night British  

noun

1. 1. the first public performance of a play or other production

   2. ( as modifier )

      first-night nerves

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Etymology

Origin of first night

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

first night

The first night, she sang through the entire setlist, screaming and all — but by the third, she could only perform a few songs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026

Inside the Villaviciosa de Odon gymnasium, volunteers tried to keep children occupied with games and colouring activities, while others distributed meals after the evacuees had spent their first night sleeping on cots.

From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026

The first night, tonight, is the least predictable.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

"I mean I couldn't sleep that first night when I realised. I thought what am I going to do?"

From BBC ● Jun. 21, 2026

Out of the door bounded a huge black dog exactly like the beasts that had attacked Nhamo on her first night in Zimbabwe!

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

Related Words

• beginning
• debut
• opening