first aid

noun

1. emergency aid or treatment given to someone injured, suddenly ill, etc., before regular medical services arrive or can be reached.

first aid

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 Words From

• first-aid adjective
• first-aider noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of first aid¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Trained in first aid, river crossing and high mountain rescue, they practise evacuating the village a few times a year, volunteers carrying the wounded on stretchers and bandaging mock injuries.

From BBC

One musical number even outlines seizure first aid tips, and leads the audience in repeating back the safety steps via a call-and-response gospel song.

From Los Angeles Times

“I shouted for an ambulance because I could not hear her breathing, I checked her pulse under the ear, it was none. I had done my first aid training two times,” he said.

From BBC

Neighbours rushed to help the injured woman and gave her first aid, while placing the hammer in a plastic bag to so it could later be forensically examined by police.

From BBC

The responding officers provided first aid to the sergeant and applied a tourniquet before he was taken to a hospital, where he is recovering.

From Los Angeles Times