first line

Poem's opening verse

First line refers to the initial line of text—in a poem, novel, or document.

In medical and military contexts, it means the initial response or treatment: first-line antibiotics, first-line defense.

First-line workers are those directly engaged with customers or patients, as opposed to management or back-office staff.

literary

verse

Metered poetic passage

stanzaPoem's line grouping
prologueIntroductory literary section
prefaceIntroductory book section

foreword · exordium · preamble · proem · overture · hook · epigraph · leadoff · chapter one · narrative

beginning

inception

Founding moment

commencementAct of starting
genesisPoint of creation
originStarting point or source

dawn · outset · onset · inauguration · debut · advent · emergence · threshold · birth · creation

premiere

debut

First public appearance

screeningEvaluative selection process
launchSet into motion
galaFestive formal occasion

red carpet · opening night · marquee · showcase · blockbuster · star-studded · feature film · box office · critics · applause

railway

track

Path or monitored route

locomotiveRailway pulling machine
carriageWheeled passenger vehicle
stationFixed stopping point

conductor · signal · junction · platform · terminus · depot · railcar · caboose · freight · passenger

Categories

story openerschapter one, prologue, beginning, opener, intro
hockey lines
hockeypuck, hockey, ice hockey, pucks, field hockey
haiku5-7-5, hokku, senryu, syllables, brevity
winter athletesskier, skiers, skater, alpine skiers, ice skater
attackersaggressor, assailant, attacker, assaulter, ambusher

Opposites

song structure position

first lineclosing line

Final statement concluding something

chorus · refrain · ending · outro · coda

sequential position in text

first lineclosing line

Final statement concluding something

bottom line · ending · conclusion · end line · epilogue

military/organizational position

first linerear guard

Troops covering a retreat

rear echelon · back line · reserve · home front · back row

Family

first, line, firstly, lines, lined, lining, liner, liners, lineage

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G