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

See Examples For:

first reading

About 10 years after first reading about Manson, she made a discovery that chilled her to her core: She was not only related to Manson — she was his granddaughter.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

The lower house approved the bill at first reading in January but the Senate later amended it to target only the most harmful platforms, prompting concern in Brussels.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

I devoured it on first reading but I just can’t surrender it to the shelf yet.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025

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

But on this first reading, she calls forth distress, sadness, barely controlled rage.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove