first mortgage

noun

: a mortgage that has priority as a lien over all mortgages and liens except those imposed by law

Examples of first mortgage 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.
The mindset recalibration that used to accompany the first mortgage and the first kid now arrives on its own schedule, decoupled from the milestones that used to produce it automatically. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026 One less financial burden during the years of highest expense, a first mortgage, young children, career building, can meaningfully reduce stress for an entire family. — Jonathan I. Shenkman, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 In either of the first mortgage cases, borrowers retain homeownership, but the loan balance increases over time, also known as negative amortization. — Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026 More about LendingTree in Charlotte Lebda founded LendingTree in 1996 after facing a complicated process getting his first mortgage. — Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for first mortgage

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of first mortgage was in 1728

Browse Nearby Words

first meridian
first mortgage
first-movement form
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Legal Definition

first mortgage

see also:
mortgage
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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