earliest
noun /ˈɜːliɪst/
  /ˈɜːrliɪst/
[singular] the earliest
- the time before which something cannot happen
- The earliest we can finish is next Friday.
 - We can't finish before next Friday at the earliest.
 
Extra Examples- The earliest mention of the village is in a 16th-century manuscript.
 - The earliest possible date I can make is the third.
 - my earliest memories