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

That instinct and his courageous actions on May 15, 2024, during a burglary in progress led to the local officer being among 15 first responders presented with a Hero Award during the National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes on Tuesday in New York City’s Times Square. —Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025

Cajuso came from a family of first responders as his father served with Miami Beach Fire Rescue, according to the campaign. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025

Various organizations will gather and ship leftover candy to troops stationed overseas or donate the goods to first responders, veterans and others. —Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025

At the scene, first responders transported an adult patient by medical helicopter to a local hospital. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for first responder

• condor
• fonder
• launder
• mandir
• maunder
• ponder
• squander
• wander
• yonder
• transponder

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