first and last

phrase

: at the most basic level : in all respects
This is first and last a matter of national security.

Examples of first and last in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To improve chances of a timely reply, patients should start messages by greeting their doctor by name, ideally including both first and last names. — Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026 When season one ended, Issa’s boyfriend Paul Baker, played by Jack Innanen, marries another member of the group Anton, played by Owen Thiele, in order to stay in the country — Paul Baker, always first and last name, is Canadian much like Innanen. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026 Monfort’s car was missing, along with $800 a new tenant recently paid for the first and last month’s rent. — Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 Monfort's car was missing, along with $800 that a new tenant recently paid for the first and last month's rent. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for first and last

Rhymes for first and last

See All Rhymes for first and last

Browse Nearby Words

first and foremost
first and last
first angle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“First and last.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20and%20last. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All