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

The lift was stopped by an attendant who pressed the emergency button, after which first aid was administered and the woman was transported to hospital by ambulance, Kubo added.

From BBC

"This incident happened in a busy part of Willesden, and I'd also like to thank the members of the public who provided first aid and called the emergency services," she said.

From BBC

Sarah Taylor thought she was travelling to a first aid course for work with her best friend Hannah Hardy in Newark, Nottinghamshire, earlier this month.

From BBC

Hafsa likened the community response in the face of the unprecedented immigration crackdown to giving first aid to a wounded patient.

From Barron's

They even give us toothpaste and soap and teach us first aid.

From Literature