eldest

[ el-dist ]

adjective

1. oldest; firstborn; of greatest age: eldest sister;

   eldest brother;

   eldest sister;

   eldest born.

eldest

/ ˈɛldɪst /

adjective

1. being the oldest, esp the oldest surviving child of the same parents

Word History and Origins

Origin of eldest¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English eldesta, superlative of eald, ald; old

Word History and Origins

Origin of eldest¹

Old English eldesta, superlative of eald old

Example Sentences

His eldest daughter is engaged to be married.

From BBC

He was accompanied by his eldest sister Maryanne Trump Barry, a US federal judge, who has regularly visited her cousins on Lewis.

From BBC

His eldest first took part at age 1½ and his youngest at 3 months old.

From Los Angeles Times

When she became pregnant with her eldest child Conall, now six, Debbie's seizures decreased, but her biggest fear was still falling and hurting her baby.

From BBC

Both boys looked up to their eldest brother, Tristan.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• earlier