responder
Americannoun
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a person or thing that responds.
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Electronics. the part of a transponder that transmits the reply.
Etymology
Origin of responder
Explanation
A responder is someone who answers a question or who acts quickly in response to some event. If there's only one responder to all of your teacher's questions, he'll start calling on other students to answer as well. Anyone who responds, or reacts, in some way is a responder, whether their responses are spoken, sung, or acted out physically. You're likely to find this word in the context of "first responders," a term that's used for police officers, firefighters, EMTs, or anyone else whose job puts them among the people who help in an emergency or disaster.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When I was in Iraq, on patrol and during emergency responder training, I was given the option of picking my own radio call sign.
From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026
Sally Holmes, a community first responder in Worthing, has delivered dozens of CPR training sessions this year.
From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025
His grandson Mendy Amzalak told The Australian that he had rushed to the scene on the beach as a first responder.
From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025
Are you a member of the armed services or a first responder?
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 8, 2025
They made us do it to each other in the first responder class.
From "Adrift" by Paul Griffin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
