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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

• first-aid adjective
• first-aider noun

Etymology

Origin of first aid

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

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

Its curriculum ranges from basic first aid to countering Chinese information warfare.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

BDMLR's head veterinary consultant, Natalie Arrow, said volunteers also received training in first aid techniques and personal safety was a priority.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

It has declared 2026 its “Total Defense Year” and urged participation from Norwegians across the spectrum, from fishermen training to spot suspicious ships to schoolchildren learning first aid.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

She unbuckled the pilot’s helmet and goggles; she and Beryl had both done first aid in Girl Guides, for all that’s worth, and knew enough to make sure the casualty could breathe.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein