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

As many as 20 ambulances were sent to the scene of the accident to provide first aid and evacuate the injured, the ministry said.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 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

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

Over the purr of the engine she shouted emergency exit instructions and the location of the first aid kit.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein