first water

American  

noun

1. (formerly) the highest degree of fineness in a diamond or other precious stone.

2. the finest quality; highest rank.

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first water British  

noun

1. the finest quality of diamond or other precious stone

2. the highest grade or best quality

3. the most extreme kind

   a fool of the first water

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Etymology

Origin of first water

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

Nicola Hodgson, who lives near the Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells, was among customers questioning why the first water station was set up in an "entirely different town".

From BBC • Nov. 30, 2025

Within a few days, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Guard, and local government had the first water station set up downtown.

From Slate • Nov. 2, 2024

Tritium levels in the surrounding waters since the initial discharge have met pre-determined standards, according to tests conducted by Tepco, and no issues have been identified with the first water release, Matsumoto said.

From Reuters • Oct. 5, 2023

“Even now, the tribe doesn’t have those first water rights. Instead, they go to the first people who destroyed the natural waterways and moved the water away,” said Shana Powers, the tribe’s historic preservation officer.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2023

The hospital was a high-priority location, so it got the first water deliveries, and county jail, being a government facility, never had its water shut off like all the municipal water districts had.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman