- first class
-
1. if something is first-class, it is of very good quality and much better than other things of the same type:
• We provide a first-class, professional service for our customers.
2. using first-class mail:• a first-class stamp
3. TRAVEL first class seats, accommodation etc are the most comfortable and expensive available:• first-class airline tickets
• The airline claims its 9,000 daily first-class seats are 65% full.
— first class adverb :• If you send the letter first class, it should arrive tomorrow.
• Company policy says we cannot fly first class, but we can fly business class on trips over a thousand miles.
* * *
Ⅰ.first class UK US adjective► of 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(Cf. ↑business class) noun, ECONOMY CLASS(Cf. ↑economy class), SECOND-CLASS(Cf. ↑second-class) adjectiveⅡ.first class UK US adverb► 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.
Ⅲ.first class UK US noun [U]► the 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
Financial and business terms. 2012.