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

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Etymology

Origin of first aid

First recorded in 1880–85

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

first aid

The "Be Ready" campaign encourages households to stock up on supplies to survive for three days, including non-perishable food, bottled water, a torch, sleeping bags, and first aid items.

From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026

Skaff said injuries beyond those requiring simple first aid are rare.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

Fong called the emergency services and attempted first aid, including applying pressure to the wound, but Jones could not be saved.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

Adrienne cuts her leg on a rock, but Sara tends to it immediately with her handy dandy first aid kit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

They weren’t much better at first aid than they were at cooking, but Luxa at least knew what ointment to use.

From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins

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