first-line

[ furst-lahyn ]

adjective

1. available for immediate service, especially combat service:

   first-line troops.

2. of prime importance or quality.

first-line

adjective

1. acting or used as a first resort

   first-line treatment

   first-line batsmen

Word History and Origins

Origin of first-line¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Police also used a liquid known as Bluestar that is meant to be a first-line method of picking up blood stains not visible to the human eye.

From Los Angeles Times

“Plavix has helped millions of patients with cardiovascular disease around the world for more than 20 years, is endorsed as a first-line therapy by leading treatment guidelines across the globe and remains the standard of care,” the companies said.

From Seattle Times

Today, first-line immunotherapies include plasmapheresis, in which blood is circulated outside the body to purge plasma of antibodies, or an infusion of immunoglobulins—antibodies produced by plasma cells—which prompts the body to sop up autoantibodies.

From Science Magazine

The team administered high doses of intravenous cortisone, a first-line treatment for brain inflammation.

From Science Magazine

If first-line therapies fail or offer only temporary relief, the drug of choice has been rituximab, a monoclonal antibody used to treat blood cancers and rheumatoid arthritis.

From Science Magazine