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-aid
  adjective
• first-aider
  noun

Etymology

Origin of first aid

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

In mitigation, Luke Ponte KC said Roberts was "devastated" and had tried to offer first aid to the couple despite losing consciousness himself in the crash.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Crew members tried to give him first aid, but to no avail, said Alok Singh, the late captain’s brother-in-law.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

I immediately fell into this trap, assuming I could simply grab my first aid kit and tent and run to the hills, only for Leigh to tell me this was the biggest mistake people make.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

To assess where I stood in terms of being prepared, Price gave me a test: After asking several questions about food, water and first aid kits, he told me I scored 7/10.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

They dragged the driver up on the bank where Rashawn was sitting huddled under the first aid blanket.

From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith