first class
adjective
ukusof excellent quality:
The work that she did on the project was first class.
He really is pre-eminent in the field and has built up a first-class business.
TRANSPORT
relating to the highest level of service offered on a plane, train, etc.:
a first-class cabin/fare/seat, etc.
in the UK, relating to the fastest service for sending mail:
It is welcome news that first-class delivery has improved.
The cost of a first-class stamp is going up.
in the US, relating to the service used for sending letters, cards, and small packages:
He predicts first-class volume will decline by 20 percent by the year 2017 as fewer people sit down to write a letter.
Experts expect that the U.S. Postal Service soon will request a price increase for first-class letters.
used to describe the best possible degree you can get from a university in the UK:
A report showed that a first-class degree is worth, on average, 12% more in likely future earnings.
Compare
business class noun
economy class
second-class adjective
first class
adverb
ukus TRANSPORT
using the highest level of service offered:
fly/travel first class I fly business class; I don't fly first class.
using the fastest service for sending mail:
The minimum requirement is that certificates must be sent first class to the shareholder's registered address.
first class
noun [ U ]
ukusthe best seats, service, etc. on a plane, train, etc.:
I didn't see him on the flight because he was in first class.
in the UK, the fastest service for sending mail:
Always use first class for sending these documents.
in the US, the service for sending letters, cards and small packages