Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Constituting or belonging to the first, highest, or best group in a system of classification.
  • adjective Of the foremost excellence or highest quality; first-rate.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Of the highest class with respect to some quality or mark, especially with respect to excellence; first-rate.
  • Specifically Best equipped and most expensive: noting the first grade of conveyances for travel: as, he traveled first-class; a first-class coach or carriage.
  • Of the first class in any order of numeration, as from the lowest to the highest: as, a first-class clerk (one receiving the lowest salary).

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Of the best class; of the highest rank; in the first division; of the best quality; first-rate.
  • adjective any passenger car of the highest regular class, and intended for passengers who pay the highest regular rate; -- distinguished from a second-class car.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective very good;of the highest quality
  • adverb by first class conveyance; with first class accommodations
  • noun the most expensive accommodations on a ship or train or plane
  • noun mail that includes letters and postcards and packages sealed against inspection
  • noun the highest rank in a classification

Etymologies

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Examples

  • However, the University of Ottawa law professor expressed surprise that Gen. Ménard, whom he described as a "first-class field commander," was subject to a court martial.

    The Globe and Mail - Home RSS feed Ingrid Peritz 2011

  • However, the University of Ottawa law professor expressed surprise that Gen. Ménard, whom he described as a "first-class field commander," was subject to a court martial.

    The Globe and Mail - Home RSS feed Ingrid Peritz 2011

  • However, the University of Ottawa law professor expressed surprise that Gen. Ménard, whom he described as a "first-class field commander," was subject to a court martial.

    The Globe and Mail - Home RSS feed Ingrid Peritz 2011

  • However, the University of Ottawa law professor expressed surprise that Gen. Ménard, whom he described as a "first-class field commander," was subject to a court martial.

    The Globe and Mail - Home RSS feed Ingrid Peritz 2011

  • In non-white South African cricket, on rough pitches usually of matting, D'Oliveira hit 80 centuries before trying for better luck abroad: had he spent the first 15 years of his adulthood in English first-class cricket he could have scored a similar number of first-class hundreds, in addition to the 43 he actually made.

    Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph Scyld Berry 2011

  • In non-white South African cricket, on rough pitches usually of matting, D'Oliveira hit 80 centuries before trying for better luck abroad: had he spent the first 15 years of his adulthood in English first-class cricket he could have scored a similar number of first-class hundreds, in addition to the 43 he actually made.

    Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph Scyld Berry 2011

  • In subsequent speeches, as well as in an advice column he began writing for Ebony in 1957 and in a book he published the following year, King endorsed Christian self-abnegation as a means to attain “first-class citizenship.”

    A Renegade History of the United States Thaddeus Russell 2010

  • U.S. Postal Service Elvis Presley was immortalized by a first-class stamp on Jan. 8, 1993.

    Stamps of Approval 2011

  • U.S. Postal Service A bright-eyed puppy and kitten graced two new first-class postage stamps on Sept. 20, 2002, to help educate people about the importance of spaying and neutering pets.

    Stamps of Approval 2011

  • Bigger airports can provide for international travelers who want lounge access, but can't get into airline-operated clubs without business- or first-class tickets.

    And Now, an Airport V.I.P. Lounge for the Rest of Us Scott McCartney 2011

Comments

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  • Watson and Mary went in this type of coach on their train to Brighton.

    September 2, 2012