first-line
adjective
: being the preferred, standard, or first choice
first-line treatment of tuberculosis
compare second-line
Examples of first-line in a Sentence
surgery is usually not considered a first-line treatment for this type of cancer
Recent Examples on the Web
Colorado has three first-line centers in MacKinnon, Kadri, and Nelson, the best defenseman in the world, and a supporting cast that is so deep in star power that Necas, Gabe Landeskog, and Artturi Lehkonen get discussed as complementary players.
—
Peter Baugh, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Brock Faber had the first goal for the Wild, who were again without first-line right wing Mats Zuccarello due to an upper-body injury that occurred in Game 1 and felt his absence on their flagging power play.
—CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
And while the company presented more data on that drug Tuesday, showing promising first-line and combination data on daraxonrasib, scientists also showed in another session intriguing preclinical data on a completely new compound that may represent what comes after the current lineup.
—Angus Chen, STAT, 21 Apr. 2026
What To Consider Instead For chronic insomnia, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) as a first-line treatment, ahead of supplements or medication.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first-line
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Peter Baugh, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Brock Faber had the first goal for the Wild, who were again without first-line right wing Mats Zuccarello due to an upper-body injury that occurred in Game 1 and felt his absence on their flagging power play.
—CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
And while the company presented more data on that drug Tuesday, showing promising first-line and combination data on daraxonrasib, scientists also showed in another session intriguing preclinical data on a completely new compound that may represent what comes after the current lineup.
—Angus Chen, STAT, 21 Apr. 2026
What To Consider Instead For chronic insomnia, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) as a first-line treatment, ahead of supplements or medication.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for first-line
Cite this Entry
“First-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first-line. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
first-line
adjective
: being the preferred, standard, or first choice
first-line treatment of advanced breast cancer
compare second-line
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