first-string

[ furst-string ]

adjective

1. composed of regular members, participants, etc. ( substitute ):

   the first-string team.

2. foremost; main:

   the first-string critics.

first string

noun

1. the top player of a team in an individual sport, such as squash

adjective

1. being a regular member of a team rather than a substitute or reserve
2. being the top player of a team in an individual sport
3. of high rating; first-class

Other Words From

• first-stringer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of first-string¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

They are lucky that the 49er game is last, since by that time S.F. might be locked into the No. 2 position and decide not to risk playing their first string the whole game.

From Los Angeles Times

Taissa, meanwhile, describes a litany of successes that actually came to pass: Howard University, “a bunch of beautiful women,” “first string on the soccer team,” Columbia Law.

From New York Times

So did Panthers defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, who kept noticing how the kid running the scout team offense in the spring and summer of 2017 seemed to relish getting hit by the first string.

From Seattle Times

Washington’s backups contributed to those numbers, but the first string wasn’t good.

From Washington Times

All signs point to Trubisky, who has taken the vast majority of snaps with the first string.

From Seattle Times