first-line
adjective
: being the preferred, standard, or first choice
first-line treatment of tuberculosis
compare second-line
Synonyms
Examples of first-line in a Sentence
surgery is usually not considered a first-line treatment for this type of cancer
Recent Examples on the Web
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists considers biopsies a first-line test for postmenopausal bleeding in people at high risk for cancer.9
Taking a tissue sample helps your provider detect abnormalities, including cancerous cells.
—
Jess Sims, Health, 26 Dec. 2024
Bristol-Myers Squibb said that the European Commission has approved Opdivo plus Yervoy — two drugs that can be used in combination for treating certain kinds of cancer — for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
The over-the-counter analgesic, sold as Tylenol or Panadol among other brand names, is the standard, first-line treatment for pain and fever.
—New Atlas, 15 Dec. 2024
These efforts, commonly referred to as market shaping, have driven the price of first-line HIV treatments down to as low as $37 per year, down from nearly $10,000 two decades ago.
—Peter Sands, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for first-line 
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Jess Sims, Health, 26 Dec. 2024
Bristol-Myers Squibb said that the European Commission has approved Opdivo plus Yervoy — two drugs that can be used in combination for treating certain kinds of cancer — for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
The over-the-counter analgesic, sold as Tylenol or Panadol among other brand names, is the standard, first-line treatment for pain and fever.
—New Atlas, 15 Dec. 2024
These efforts, commonly referred to as market shaping, have driven the price of first-line HIV treatments down to as low as $37 per year, down from nearly $10,000 two decades ago.
—Peter Sands, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for first-line
Dictionary Entries Near first-line
Cite this Entry
“First-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first-line. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
first-line
adjective
: being the preferred, standard, or first choice
first-line treatment of advanced breast cancer
compare second-line
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