number one

noun

1. oneself, especially one's own well-being or interests.

   to look out for number one.

2. a person, company, etc., that is first in rank, order, or prestige.

   Our team is number one.

3. urination: used especially by or with reference to children.

adjective

1. of the highest in quality, status, importance, etc.; first-rate.

   a number one performance.

2. first in rank, order, or prestige.

   the number one book on the bestseller list.

number one

noun

1. the first in a series or sequence

2. an informal phrase for oneself myself

   to look after number one

3. informal,  the most important person; leader, chief

   he's number one in the organization

4. informal,  the bestselling pop record in any one week

5. euphemistic,  the act or an instance of urination

6. a haircut in which the hair is cut very close to the head with an electric shaver

adjective

1. first in importance, urgency, quality, etc

   number one priority

2. informal,  (of a pop record) having reached the top of the charts

Word History and Origins

Origin of number one¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make / do / go number one, to urinate: used especially by or with reference to children.

Example Sentences

On some occasions, the chancellor, backed by the prime minister, will say that getting the economy growing, helping business, is their absolute number one priority.

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It has not been the best month for Humphries, who earlier this month surrendered his world number one crown to Littler when he lost to 'The Nuke' in the Grand Slam of Darts final.

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Former world number one Nelly Korda is in a cluster of four players tied for fifth on nine under.

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"And that is why I wanted Wes Streeting's attention - to express how lung cancer is UK's number one killer but has the least amount of limelight on it."

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Kings of Leon have had six number one albums in the UK since their debut in 2003, while Neil Young's career stretches back to the 1960s.

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Related Words

• champion 
• winner