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

While he was eliminated on the first night, he was a beloved participant for his charming, down-to-earth personality as a grocery store owner from Chicago, earning him the nickname “Grocery Store Joe.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

But it was clear from that first night on that many men chose to have a contraband phone, accepting the risk in large part to keep in touch with their families.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

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

The first night, tonight, is the least predictable.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

Still, I can’t even think about how awful it would have been to have been separated from Boo that first night.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

Related Words

• beginning
• debut
• opening