first-string

[ furst-string ]

/ ˈfɜrstˈstrɪŋ /

composed of regular members, participants, etc. (distinguished from substitute): the first-string team.

foremost; main: the first-string critics.

Words nearby first-string

First recorded in 1915–20

first-string·er, noun

On Tuesday the first-string 'varsity men were back at work, with the exception of Benson, whose ankle was in pretty bad condition.
Left End Edwards|Ralph Henry Barbour
With three first-string pitchers like Lefty and Jones and Savage, the team would have a fighting chance.
Lefty Locke Pitcher-Manager|Burt L. Standish
She had replaced many of her first-string men, but her captain was still in and so was the quarter-back who had started.
Quarter-Back Bates|Ralph Henry Barbour
There was no scrimmage until the first-string men had trotted off the field.
Left End Edwards|Ralph Henry Barbour

On Friday there was only signal work for the subs, but the first-string players and the second held scrimmage as usual.
Center Rush Rowland|Ralph Henry Barbour