first republic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-Low (Common in historical/political contexts, rare in general conversation)Formal, Academic, Historical, Political
Quick answer
What does “first republic” mean?
A form of government that follows a monarchy or non-republican system, specifically the initial republican period in a nation's history.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A form of government that follows a monarchy or non-republican system, specifically the initial republican period in a nation's history.
Often used as a proper noun to refer to specific historical periods (e.g., First French Republic, First Spanish Republic) or conceptually to denote the foundational, often idealistic and turbulent, phase of republican governance in a state.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical, though referenced historical republics differ (e.g., British context might more commonly reference the Irish Republics; American context might reference Latin American or European First Republics).
Connotations
Similar academic/historical weight in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English due to European history curriculum; in US English, it's common in political science and world history contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “first republic” in a Sentence
[The/Our/This] First Republic [verb: collapsed, ended, began, was established]the First Republic of [country name]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “first republic” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- First-Republic ideals are often revisited during constitutional crises.
- The First-Republic era was marked by hope and conflict.
American English
- First-Republic principles shaped the nation's identity.
- He is a scholar of First-Republic political thought.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Possible in rare cases naming a company (e.g., First Republic Bank).
Academic
Frequent in history, political science, and constitutional law to denote specific historical periods.
Everyday
Rare, except in countries where the period is a major historical reference point.
Technical
Used as a proper noun to periodise history precisely.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “first republic”
- Using lowercase ('first republic') when it's a proper noun.
- Using 'First Republic' without 'the' when referring to a specific one (e.g., 'First Republic was unstable' vs. 'The First Republic was unstable').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when it functions as the proper name of a specific historical period (e.g., the French First Republic). In generic use ('many nations have a first republic'), it may be lowercased.
Yes, but primarily as part of a company name (e.g., First Republic Bank). In such cases, it is a proper noun but lacks the historical-political meaning.
Historically, a First Republic often ends due to invasion, internal collapse, or coup, leading to an empire, monarchy, dictatorship, or a subsequent (Second) Republic.
'First Republic' is sequential within a specific nation's modern history (post-monarchy). 'Ancient republic' (e.g., Roman Republic) refers to a republic in the ancient world, not necessarily the first in a modern sequence.
A form of government that follows a monarchy or non-republican system, specifically the initial republican period in a nation's history.
First republic is usually formal, academic, historical, political in register.
First republic: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɜːst rɪˈpʌblɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɜrst rɪˈpʌblɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The First Republic's ideals (referring to foundational, often unfulfilled, principles)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a race: the FIRST runner is the Republic, taking over from the Monarch who used to rule.
Conceptual Metaphor
A REPUBLIC IS A HUMAN LIFE: The First Republic is the birth and turbulent adolescence of a nation's republican life.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'First Republic' typically imply?