first aid

noun

: emergency care or treatment given to an ill or injured person before regular medical aid can be obtained

Examples of first aid in a Sentence

She gave him first aid for his sprained ankle.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Stanton and Linear recommend always bringing bug spray, citronella candles, tick spray, a first aid kit, sunscreen, a waterproof jacket, and a fire starter kit. Essence, 30 Aug. 2025 Police chief says officers rescued children who hid The police chief said the first officer ran into the church four minutes after the initial 911 call and that more officers rendered first aid and rescued some of the children. Claudia Lauer, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025 First responders from the police department entered the church to provide first aid and rescue children who were hiding throughout the building, according to O’Hara. Marc Santia, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2025 Officers provided first aid and rescued people hiding in the building after arriving on the scene. Chantelle Lee, Time, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for first aid

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of first aid was in 1867

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“First aid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20aid. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

first aid

noun
: emergency treatment given to an ill or injured person

Medical Definition

first aid

noun
: emergency care or treatment given to an ill or injured person before regular medical aid can be obtained

More from Merriam-Webster on first aid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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