The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

first-year \first-year\ adj.
   Being in the first year of an experience especially in a U.
   S. high school or college; -- of a person.

   Syn: freshman.
        [WordNet 1.5]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

first-year
    adj 1: used of a person in the first year of an experience
           (especially in United States high school or college); "a
           freshman senator"; "freshman year in high school or
           college" [syn: freshman, first-year]