From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishin the first instancein the first instanceformalBEFORE at the start of a situation or series of actions The appointment of research officer will be for two years in the first instance. Enquiries should be made in the first instance to the Human Resources Director. → first
Examples from the Corpus
in the first instance• We must act to prevent pollution in the first instance.• A limited contract for a few sessions, at least in the first instance, is always preferable.• It was not designed as a dwelling place in the first instance.• It will be screened in the first instance for Tory Party workers throughout Britain.• Making contact with the families in the first instance was the most difficult problem.• Smith regarded this distribution as depending in the first instance on relative bargaining strength.• Soviet forces were not, at least in the first instance, to be withdrawn unconditionally.• The decision should be made in the first instance as if it were easy to be made.in the first instancein the first instanceBEGINNINGat the beginning of a series of actions Anyone wishing to join the society should apply in the first instance to the secretary. → instanceExamples from the Corpus
in the first instance• A limited contract for a few sessions, at least in the first instance, is always preferable.• It was not designed as a dwelling place in the first instance.• It will be screened in the first instance for Tory Party workers throughout Britain.• Making contact with the families in the first instance was the most difficult problem.• Smith regarded this distribution as depending in the first instance on relative bargaining strength.• Soviet forces were not, at least in the first instance, to be withdrawn unconditionally.• The decision should be made in the first instance as if it were easy to be made. 