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.
Some soldiers distinguished themselves by helping to render emergency trauma response and first aid to civilians, earning individual service commendations, according to the Arkansas National Guard. — Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 29 Aug. 2026 Students will also study mines and explosive hazards, first aid for combat injuries, chemical and radiation exposure and acute stress, as well as survival training and procedures for operating in conflict zones. — Bloomberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 Keep sterile saline eye drops in your first aid kit for this emergency. — Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 For the 18th year, Regions Hospital Emergency Medical Services are providing free first aid and medical care, with paramedics, nurses and doctors on-site all 12 days. — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 27 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for first aid

See All Rhymes for first aid

Browse Nearby Words

first
first aid
first-aider
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Cite this Entry

“First aid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20aid. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

first aid

noun
: emergency treatment given to an ill or injured person

Medical Definition

first aid

noun
ˌfərst-ˈād How to pronounce first aid (audio)
: emergency care or treatment given to an ill or injured person before regular medical aid can be obtained
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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