Red Cross

American  

Also red cross

noun

1. an international philanthropic organization Red Cross Society, formed in consequence of the Geneva Convention of 1864, to care for the sick and wounded in war, secure neutrality of nurses, hospitals, etc., and help relieve suffering caused by pestilence, floods, fires, and other calamities.

2. a branch of this organization.

   the American Red Cross.

3. the English national emblem of St. George's cross.

4. Geneva cross.

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Red Cross British  

noun

1. an international humanitarian organization ( Red Cross Society ) formally established by the Geneva Convention of 1864. It was originally limited to providing medical care for war casualties, but its services now include liaison between prisoners of war and their families, relief to victims of natural disasters, etc

2. any national branch of this organization

3. the emblem of this organization, consisting of a red cross on a white background

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Example Sentences

Lizzie described her mother as an "incredibly resilient" person, who volunteers at the Red Cross and goes to the gym.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

“They’ve been doing a really good job — the Red Cross really came through,” said Edward Cho, 37, a cook who has been living with his 72-year-old mother, a cancer patient.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has deployed hundreds of volunteers to support response efforts in the region.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

Three Red Cross volunteers who died earlier this month were among the first known victims of DR Congo's Ebola outbreak, and likely caught it while managing dead bodies.

From BBC • May 24, 2026

I thought maybe my age, or the presence of the Red Cross, immunized me against the terrors I knew existed in the camp.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed