number one
Americannoun
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oneself, especially one's own well-being or interests.
to look out for number one.
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a person, company, etc., that is first in rank, order, or prestige.
Our team is number one.
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urination: used especially by or with reference to children.
adjective
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of the highest in quality, status, importance, etc.; first-rate.
a number one performance.
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first in rank, order, or prestige.
the number one book on the bestseller list.
idioms
noun
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the first in a series or sequence
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an informal phrase for oneself myself
to look after number one
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informal the most important person; leader, chief
he's number one in the organization
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informal the bestselling pop record in any one week
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euphemistic the act or an instance of urination
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a haircut in which the hair is cut very close to the head with an electric shaver
adjective
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first in importance, urgency, quality, etc
number one priority
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informal (of a pop record) having reached the top of the charts
Etymology
Origin of number one
First recorded in 1830–40
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.
A world number one in juniors, Andreeva has long been tipped for Grand Slam success.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
"The number one thing people ask us is, 'Where's the sea?'" laughs Isla.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
Gold has become the number one asset in central banks reserves, thanks to a relentless rise in prices and continued buying from emerging market central banks, the head of next generation research says.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
Though Hong Kong has overtaken Switzerland as the number one in cross-border wealth management, rather than enter panic mode, Swiss banks seem unruffled -- feeling it bolsters the case against looming tighter banking regulations.
From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026
“You’re our number one bookworm. In a good way.”
From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
