first reading

noun

: the first submitting of a bill before a quorum of a legislative assembly usually by title or number only

Examples of first reading 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.
Council members waived the ordinance's first reading, advancing the proposal that targets dangerous stunts on public streets, groups of riders blocking traffic and street takeovers. — Nina Burns, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 The ordinance placed on first reading would apply to all new developments, unless the land is zoned agricultural or residential. — Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026 Council also held a public hearing and gave a first reading for the 2027 budget ordinance. — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026 The development came days after the district posted the agenda for its Thursday meeting, which included the compensation change as part of the first reading of a sweeping update to the district’s board policies. — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for first reading

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of first reading was in 1571

Rhymes for first reading

See All Rhymes for first reading

Browse Nearby Words

First Reader
first reading
first responder
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

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

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

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

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All