firstborn

American

[furst-bawrn] / ˈfɜrstˈbɔrn /

adjective

first in the order of birth; eldest.

noun

a firstborn child.
a first result or product.

Etymology

Origin of firstborn

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; first, born

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They moved into their home in 2018, on the same day she lost her firstborn son.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2026

"We came here from Ukraine, and Matilda was our firstborn here in Australia," he said earlier this week.

From Barron's • Dec. 18, 2025

While I’m happy Ms. Stern brought her firstborn home, many families aren’t as lucky.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 3, 2025

Vaill calls firstborn Angelica an “alpha female” who adored her younger sister but wondered, How’d she get him?

From Slate • Oct. 21, 2025

“Just promise me something. You can give me anything, anything you know is yours. I’m not asking for your firstborn child.”

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023