first reading

American  

noun

Parliamentary Procedure.

1. the reading of a bill when it is first introduced in a legislative body.

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first reading British  

noun

1. the introduction of a bill in a legislative assembly

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Etymology

Origin of first reading

First recorded in 1695–1705

Example Sentences

South Korea’s headline inflation accelerated in March—the first reading since the Middle East conflict began—highlighting the early effects of surging energy costs on the trade-reliant economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

The first reading L’Belle-Tividad gave was to a group of three of her friends, more than three years after her awakening.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2025

In May, France's lower house of parliament approved a right-to-die bill in a first reading.

From Barron's • Nov. 23, 2025

The first reading of the consumer sentiment survey in October was basically flat at 55.0, the University of Michigan said Friday.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 10, 2025

In this way, she found that even the words that had seemed impossible to decipher on first reading began to make sense as she discovered their place in the story.

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson