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

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

Missi and Frank said they tossed and turned the first night, noticing every passing car that broke the dead silence.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 20, 2026

That top order includes Danni Wyatt-Hodge, whose 105 not out lit up the first night of the tournament, Dunkley and Alice Capsey, possibly England's most in-form batter of all.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

The pinnipeds that crashed my first night on the island were probably not affected much.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026

Like how it did that first night in the Lighthouse.

From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña

Related Words

• beginning
• debut
• opening