first aid

American  

noun

1. emergency aid or treatment given to someone injured, suddenly ill, etc., before regular medical services arrive or can be reached.

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first aid British  

noun

1. 1. immediate medical assistance given in an emergency

   2. ( as modifier )

      first-aid box

2. (in Barbados) a small shop that sells domestic items after hours

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Other Word Forms

• first-aider
  noun
• first-aid
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of first aid

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

first aid

A bystander begged to help Good, to check her pulse and perform first aid.

From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026

After hearing about the quakes, they met in Miami, collecting first aid kits and rescue equipment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

The responding officers rendered first aid to the victims before they were taken to local hospitals.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2026

The Johnsons, who own the site, said staff responded to the incident "within minutes of the first radio call", and the child was rescued shortly afterwards and given first aid.

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

“You’re forgetting wilderness first aid and avoiding bear attacks...”

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed