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-aider
  noun
• first-aid
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of first aid

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

But Pyrtsu -- who said he did not bring a first aid kit -- brushes off the idea of a strike.

From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026

The man, who was found seriously injured by rescuers, received first aid until medical teams arrived, but later died.

From BBC • Jun. 18, 2026

The woman, 35, was "pulled from the water by members of the public who commenced first aid", police said, and suffered "serious arm and leg injuries".

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026

They eventually found a first aid kit to treat his open wound, but there was only a single bandage.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Jason dimly wondered how she knew so much first aid.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan