beginning vs first

beginning and first both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
beginning	Yes	Yes	No	No
first	Yes	Yes	No	Yes

As adjectives, beginning and first are synonyms defined as:

As nouns, beginning and first are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of beginning include commencement, get-go, kickoff, offset, outset, showtime, start, starting time.

beginning (noun)	first (noun)
the act of starting something	the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed at first of the bases in the infield (counting counterclockwise from home plate)
the first part or section of something	the lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle; used to start a car moving
the event consisting of the start of something	an honours degree of the highest class
the place where something begins, where it springs into being	the first element in a countable series
the time at which something is supposed to begin	the first or highest in an ordering or series
	the time at which something is supposed to begin

beginning (adjective)	first (adjective)
serving to begin	preceding all others in time or space or degree
	highest in pitch or chief among parts or voices or instruments or orchestra sections
	ranking above all others
	serving to begin
	serving to set in motion

beginning (adverb)	first (adverb)
	before anything else
	prominently forward
	the initial time
	before another in time, space, or importance