of the highest/first order

of the first order

Of the greatest importance, significance, or magnitude. You have to study Shakespeare because he is a poet of the first order. We need to close the highway immediately—this is an emergency of the first order.

See also: first, of, order

of the highest order

Of the greatest importance, significance, or magnitude. You have to study Shakespeare because he is a poet of the highest order. We need to close the highway immediately—this is an emergency of the highest order.

See also: high, of, order

of the first order (or magnitude)

used to denote something that is excellent or considerable of its kind.

In astronomy, magnitude is a measure of the degree of brightness of a star. Stars of the first magnitude are the most brilliant.

See also: first, of, order

of the highest/first ˈorder

,

of a high ˈorder

of the best, worst, most extreme, etc. type: It was a scandal of the first order.

See also: first, high, of, order