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.

Critics mocked Zacharia’s performance during her first and last press conference on Tuesday, and ripped her for describing herself as an attorney, despite having never passed the bar exam. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 16 Oct. 2026 Below is the program lineup (listed in alphabetical order, with Opening and Closing Night films first and last). — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026 Sixteen years into founding their eponymous brand — the founder sister-in-laws, Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard, share a first and last name — have established themselves as a mainstay in American fashion. — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2026 Ask the model about yourself using only your first and last name. — Alona Karpinska, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for first and last

Browse Nearby Words

first and foremost

first and last

first angle

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“First and last.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20and%20last. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

first and last

phrase

Examples of first and last in a Sentence

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

fervid

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes

first and last

phrase

Examples of first and last in a Sentence

Rhymes for first and last

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

fervid

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes