From Longman Business Dictionaryfirst-quarterˌfirst-ˈquarter adjective ACCOUNTINGFINANCE first-quarter profits, losses, sales etc are ones made in the first three months of the financial yearThe company has reported first quarter net profit down 17.4% at $1.2m on turnover that rose 36.1% to $26.9m.The board announced its first quarter figures last Thursday. —first quarter noun [singular]Shares rose steadily in the first quarter. → see also first-half
