first-order

adjective

Of one of a series of models, languages, relationship, forms of logical discourse, etc., being the simplest one or the first in a sequence.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

adjectivefirst-order (not comparable)
  1. not comparablehuman sciencesOf one of a series of models, languages, relationship, forms of logical discourse, etc., being the simplest one or the first in a sequence.
  2. not comparableOf fundamental importance.
    1 more example

    If our goal is to put out the fire—to alleviate a humanitarian crisis broadly referenced in mainstream discourse as "mass incarceration" and "overcriminalization"— that are the specific benefits that flow from making fair policymaking process a first-order principle in the criminal-justice reform movement?

    2021, Trevor George Gardner, “By Any Means: A Philosophical Frame for Rulemaking Reform in Criminal Law”, in Yale Law Journal Forum, page 800

Translations

Dutch eersteorde-
  • eersteorde-being the simplest of many
Cite this entry
APA

first-order. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/first-order

MLA

“first-order.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/first-order. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “first-order,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/first-order.

Source: first-order on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.