first responder

noun

: a person (such as a police officer or an EMT) who is among those responsible for going immediately to the scene of an accident or emergency to provide assistance

Examples of first responder in a Sentence

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.
This is cool: The Los Angeles Rams will conduct their draft operations from Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Air Operations, honoring the first responders who call Los Angeles home. Jim Reineking, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025 Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of all the victims as well as our first responders who are working the scene and the investigation. Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2025 The Los Angeles Rams, however, will honor Southern California firefighters by conducting their 2025 NFL draft operations from the Los Angeles Fire Department Air Operations headquarters to recognize first responders following the wildfires that swept across the Los Angeles area earlier this year. Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2025 Students in the nearby elementary school were kept inside and later exited through the other side of the building as first responders arrived, the superintendent said. Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for first responder

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of first responder was in 1970

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“First responder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20responder. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

first responder

noun
first re·​spond·​er
-ri-ˈspän-dər
: a person (as a police officer or an EMT) who is among those responsible for going immediately to the scene of an accident or emergency to provide assistance
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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