first night

noun

: the night on which a theatrical production is first performed at a given place
also : the performance itself

Examples of first night 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.
On Friday’s first night of competition in Phoenix, Rivera made an uncharacteristic mistake on the uneven bars, falling from the apparatus and scoring almost two points below her typical output. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Fred Richard leads men's competition That sound Fred Richard heard throughout the first night of the men's competition was Danila Leykin gaining on him. — Nancy Armour, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026 Lee said the first night market was a leap of faith for her and the vendors and organizers involved. — Salem Dinh, Freep.com, 6 Aug. 2026 The airline’s mistake could not be undone, but the family’s first night needn’t be defined by it. — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for first night

Word History

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of first night was in 1698

Rhymes for first night

See All Rhymes for first night

Browse Nearby Words

firstness
first night
first-nighter
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“First night.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20night. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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